Dozens of customers have flocked online to criticise the cafe (Picture: SWNS)

A cafe has caused outrage after announcing it was banning all children under the age of 12 from coming inside.

Furious parents blasted the ‘pompous’ coffee shop after they were turned away from the premises this week because their children were with them.

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Dozens of customers have flocked online to criticise the cafe, 15 on the Corner, after being left ‘gobsmacked’ by the ‘short-sighted and discriminatory’ policy.

The eatery, in Lichfield, Staffordshire, has refused to say why they have decided to ban children – despite being bombarded with negative reviews on Tripadvisor.


Mum-of-two Laura Gee, 35, who lives in the town, said: ‘I think its pathetic really and the place looks half empty since they started their absurd policy.

‘I wouldn’t recommend this cafe to anyone, not if you have a slither of dignity.’ (Picture: SWNS)

‘They have given no explanation as to why they are doing this and alienated half the town, who now think they are stuck-up.’



One visitor said on TripAdvisor: ‘I didn’t manage to get two feet through the door before being asked to leave because of my children.

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‘It’s disgusting. My wife and I, along with our three children, had walked two miles, just to be turned away and treated poorly.

‘It’s not my place to say a policy isn’t correct but speaking down to customers and embarrassing them just for having children?

‘I wouldn’t recommend this cafe to anyone, not if you have a slither of dignity.’

Another mum said she was ‘amazed, embarrassed and totally gobsmacked’ that she was banned from a cafe for simply having children.

She added: ‘You’d think I’d have brought a dog in.’

One parent said: ‘What a ridiculous policy. There was no reason provided and I was so shocked that I did not question it.

‘It was only when I was outside that I realised how awful this was. We soon found another better and less pompous place to have a drink.

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‘Hopefully they will change their policy or go out of business soon.’

One reviewer said her 10-year-old daughter was left traumatised after being embarrassed so publicly and refused to go into another cafe after the ordeal.

The parent added: ‘We were told, loudly, that there are no children under 12 allowed. There was no sign outside to alert us to this policy.

‘My daughter is 10 and a sensitive soul at that. Once she heard this she was mortified, and as we left the cafe she was very embarrassed, thinking that she had done something wrong.

‘She didn’t want to go into another cafe for fear that she wouldn’t be allowed in.’

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However, not everyone disagreed with the cafe’s ban. Some commenters posted stating they believe the policy is a good idea.

Reviewer Marie C said: ‘Peace at last. The ban is brilliant for me as a retired person as I do not want to be surrounded by small children when I am eating.

‘And Lichfield is full of coffee shops where children are allowed.’

Another person added: ‘It’s a welcome change not to have kids screaming and running around.



‘There are plenty of places to take children and it’s wonderful to find an adult friendly venue.’

When approached for comment, a worker at the shop confirmed the ban but added: ‘The owner is out of the country until next week so there’s nobody here that can comment.’