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An organic cafe has caused a stir in a leafy London suburb by banning children under five.

In the babyccino corner are the local mothers who say they simply want to go for a cup of coffee with their babies or toddlers after taking older children to the nearby school.

But the frustrated cafe owner claims parents with “prams the size of Essex" who let their children “run riot” are ruining the experience for other customers.

Hilary Penning, who runs the Organic Kitchen in Buckhurst Hill, has a two-year-old son and is unrepentant about her decision, which she announced by posting a sign on the door.

She said: “There’s been far too many instances where mums come in with newborn babies and allow the children to cry and cry. Some parents have come in for up to two hours with their children crying.

“It’s been a hard and challenging decision but I think I made the right choice. I cannot allow people to come in expecting to have a great eating experience but have to leave because their lunch or breakfast has been ruined by inconsiderate parents allowing their children to run riot, which has happened quite a bit.”

Ms Penning said she welcomed parents and children when she opened in September, buying baby changing equipment and two high chairs, but brought in the new policy because of the behaviour of a “small minority”.

“The challenge is we are so small,” she said. “When you get mums turning up on the doorstep with prams the size of Essex it only takes one or two to have an effect. I hate health and safety but staff are saying they cannot get through the tables carrying hot meals. For me, it was a disaster waiting to happen.”

She added: “The main target audience is not young parents or anyone with a toddler or baby. The decor is fantastic, the ambience feels like somewhere like Los Angeles or people give us feedback saying it’s like New York.”

But she said: “It’s a guideline for parents. If their child can sit at the table, behave well and not affect the experience then we welcome them. We are not a nightclub and we aren’t going to start ID-ing toddlers.”

Karen Sticher, 39, was one of the first to share the image of the sign on social media. Ms Sticher, chief executive of business management firm Elite Training and a mother of two, said: “It’s discrimination because anyone with an under-five is not allowed in.

“They are excluding people based on age. In this day and age I’m amazed they want to discriminate against people who just want to have a coffee.It’s not a fancy bar or restaurant, it’s a cafe and it’s right next to a school. It’s the only one open when the older children are dropped off and mums want a coffee. I want this business to be successful but I feel this is a poor decision.”

Ellie Hart-Spratt, 39, who has a daughter aged two, said: “I can see things from both sides. The stupid part was the way the ban was advertised with a sign. The big picture of the baby was awful. Even if the policy changes to allow young children, I think the way it has been done has annoyed so many people.

“There’s a lot of money in this area with mums and I do think the business will feel the effects of it.” Another mother, who gave her name only as Annabel, said: “It’s very disappointing. I take my daughter who is three there all the time but I won’t be able to any more.

“They’re really shooting themselves in the foot because there are three independent schools and two state schools in the street so there are definitely more customers with children than without.”

The Organic Kitchen describes itself as the “home of healthy artisan fine foods and drink”. Dishes include avocado on rye for £7.50 and children’s menu features quinoa and mushroom balls with organic baked beans for £5.