First of all, thank you to all our lovely customers, especially our regulars, who continue to support our coffee shop and make it such a welcoming place. We want everyone who walks through our door to feel comfortable, relaxed and at home. Looking after our customers and respecting their privacy are important parts of the way we run our business.

With that in mind, we would like to clarify our approach to photography inside our coffee shop. Please ask us before taking photographs inside. Photography for commercial, promotional or other business purposes is not permitted without our prior permission. We may also decline photography for other reasons, particularly where it could affect the privacy or comfort of our customers. Thank you for understanding that this is our premises and that we have a responsibility to everyone enjoying their time here.

What happened on 12 October 2026?

At approximately 2:22 pm, two visitors entered our coffee shop and appeared to photograph various areas inside. They then went outside to photograph our signage before returning and continuing to take pictures. Some of the photographs appeared to be taken with a mobile phone held low around waist level. As customers were present, we were concerned about what was being photographed and whether people inside might be captured without their knowledge.

When we asked about the purpose of the photography, one visitor mentioned Google and subsequently told us that they were working for Google and reviewing businesses. We explained our concerns, including the importance of respecting customers' privacy, and asked that the photographs not be published. We are recording this example to explain why we have clarified our policy, not to identify or target the visitors or to make assumptions about their affiliation.

Why do we ask people to seek permission first?

Imagine sitting down for a peaceful coffee, chatting with a friend, enjoying a cake or having a private conversation, only to discover that someone nearby is quietly photographing the room. Would you feel comfortable? Would you expect to be asked first, or at least to be told what was happening?

We think most people would appreciate a little consideration. A coffee shop is not simply a place full of tables, chairs, equipment and signs to photograph. It is a place where people spend their time, meet friends and enjoy a degree of privacy. Not everyone wants to appear in somebody else's photographs or online content.

We are not against photography. If you would like to take a quick photo of your coffee, cake or a special moment, please ask us first. We can usually discuss ordinary personal photography, provided it does not disturb other customers or compromise anyone's privacy. We may say no in certain circumstances, and we appreciate your understanding if we do.

What about commercial photography or business reviews?

This is where we draw a firmer line. If you are visiting on behalf of a company, carrying out a business review, producing promotional material, gathering images for a commercial listing, conducting a survey or collecting photographs for another business-related purpose, you must obtain our permission before taking photographs inside our premises.

Please introduce yourself, explain who you represent, tell us what you intend to photograph and how the images may be used, and allow us to decide whether we are happy to proceed. If your work is associated with Google or another online platform, please explain your role clearly. Mentioning a well-known company's name does not, by itself, tell a business owner exactly who you represent or what you are doing.

Arriving without explanation, photographing different areas discreetly and only explaining the purpose after being questioned is not the transparent approach we expect. We reserve the right to decline photography inside our premises, including photography proposed for commercial or business-related purposes. If permission is not granted, please respect our decision and do not proceed.

Are we being too strict?

We don't believe so. We are asking for basic courtesy, clear communication and consideration for other people. Our usual preference is to be friendly and accommodating where circumstances allow. However, being welcoming does not mean we must agree to every request or allow every activity inside our shop.

We appreciate that different people have different reasons for taking photographs, and we do not assume that everyone has bad intentions. Equally, we should not have to guess why someone is photographing our premises or wonder whether our customers are being included in images that may later appear online.

Thank you for taking the time to understand our position. We will continue to do our best to provide a pleasant, welcoming environment for everyone. To our regular customers and everyone who supports our small business, thank you — your comfort and trust mean a great deal to us.

A simple request: please ask first, explain your purpose honestly, and respect our decision. A little courtesy makes all the difference.

Policy clarification published on 12 October 2026. The example above refers to an incident at approximately 2:22 pm UK time on that date.