May 3rd 2024.
The owners of Fringe and Ginge, a cozy cafe located in Canterbury, Kent, recently made a decision that has caused quite a stir. They have introduced a "no laptop" rule, much to the surprise and disappointment of their regular customers. This new policy was put in place after the owners received numerous requests from customers to keep the noise down during their video call meetings.
According to Alfie Edwards, who co-owns the business with his partner Olivia Walsh, the decision was not an easy one. The couple had noticed a decline in the cafe's atmosphere due to the increasing number of people working on their laptops for extended periods of time. This not only affected the overall ambiance of the cafe, but it also caused frustration for the owners as people would often only purchase a single coffee and stay for hours.
But what really pushed the owners to implement the laptop ban was when customers started asking the staff to keep the noise level down so they could hear their video call meetings. Alfie explains, "We had some really bad experiences with people, like asking us to turn the music off so they could do Zoom or Teams meetings. We were asked to be quiet, we were making too much noise. Then we just sort of figured out this is not what we're about."
He goes on to say, "There are so many places you can go and rent desk space, you can work in the libraries. There are loads of places that are dedicated to people working, and some even have cafes. Here, we just realized we wanted to take hospitality back, have it dedicated to just serving people and letting them have a nice experience."
Fringe and Ginge opened its doors in July 2020, shortly after the first Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were lifted. With many people working remotely and not returning to the office full-time, the cafe has become a popular spot for those looking for a change of scenery. Alfie believes that the laptop ban has been a success, saying, "It's just so nice to have people who were previously strangers that now chat regularly. To see people connecting, we've kind of built a community here. It's a neighborhood hangout for a lot of people."
Hannah Swann, 28, who manages the nearby Garage Cafe, understands the reasoning behind Fringe and Ginge's laptop ban but has no plans to implement it herself. She says, "We allow laptops here, and while most people are nice about it, sometimes people do take advantage of it. But we usually have enough room in this cafe to carry on and not be too bothered about it. I think cafes are a nice place to work, it's a nice calm environment. I know a lot of people kind of need stuff going on around them to focus – I know I do."
She also acknowledges that the size and layout of Fringe and Ginge may have played a role in the decision to ban laptops, as it could lead to fewer customers being able to find a seat. "In the space Fringe and Ginge are in, I do understand it, just because if they did allow laptops, they would be filled all day and not have any switch over with customers really," she explains.
This is not the first time a ban has been put in place to encourage people to disconnect from technology and enjoy the present moment. In 2017, a music festival called FLY Open Air Festival banned mobile phones, urging people to "live in the moment." Attendees were required to put their phones in a special case that was sealed until the end of the event.
Despite some opposition, the owners of Fringe and Ginge stand by their decision to ban laptops. Alfie says, "It's just something we had to do. You don't want to upset people, but it was the right decision." He also adds that the ban has helped create a more social and welcoming atmosphere, where people can connect and build a community. "We aren't a big space, and we're social here – that's a big part of it," he concludes.
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