British restaurant Cosmo is generating some controversy online over their policy of allegedly charging mothers who bring babies into the restaurant the equivalent of nearly $5 because the infants take up space in the restaurant, even if they aren't eating.

The London Evening Standard

that 34-year-old Natasha Young and 28-year-old Ana Sheridan, on separate occasions, were required to pay the fee for their breastfed children, who at the time were 6 weeks and 6 months old, respectively.

"They refused to take the charge off her bill, saying the pushchair was taking up space in the 800-seat, 22,000 sqft oriental buffet restaurant in the Valley Leisure Park, Croydon," the Standard reported.

A

references the policy, saying "The Minimum Charge Policy is intended for toddlers who eat but not as much as a child. It was and never will be intended as a charge for Prams or for babies. This policy has been in place for the last 7 years without incident as it has always only ever been used for toddlers and at the manager’s discretion. However, it would appear that the training, for both the staff and the managers at Croydon fell well below that of our other restaurants."

What do you think: Would you eat at a restaurant that charged you $5 just to bring your baby? Share your thoughts in the comments section below or email me at

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