Child Friendly Cafe Post Reply

[Alchemy]

As we are not meat eaters we won't be serving any

I think this is a very big mistake. If you want to run this as a business rather than a hobby -- and given rents, business rates, etc, you have to run it on a commercial basis --, you can not afford to exclude a significant part of your potential customers.

I have no problem with you being vegetarian, but as a customer I would always go to a place that gives me the choice, rather than forcing me into a take-it-or-leave-it situation.

I really love the idea and the enthusiasm, but the area is littered with failed places like this one (see also Eat Play Love on Battersea Park Road!). I hope yours works out.

[ontheyellowbrickroad]

With dairy intolerances etc being more common, it would be great if there was options for kids/adults who cant consume cows milk. So maybe soya/coconut milk substitutes for cereal etc. And any other dairy free options that can be added would be great. I'm a nanny also and ive had a few children with dairy intolerance and it can make eating out more tricky or at least a lot less varied for them

[pie81]

Hmm it's hard enough make a child friendly cafe profitable - being a vegetarian child friendly cafe is making life far too hard for yourselves and reduces your chance of success still further which would be a shame.

A play area of some sort is really really valuable. Many little ones (age 1/2/3) simply can't or won't sit at a table for long stretches so the chance for them to get down and play for a bit is what would make me choose your cafe over anything else. I realise having a softplay or supervised Bertie and Boo type set up may be a bit much, but just a corner with some toys and books (ideally fenced in or far away from the door!) would make a huge difference! The Dee light bakery on Ritherdon Road has a great little play corner where you can perch with a coffee while watching your kids.

[jjls412]

Agree re serving meat, I'd like to see that on the menu or at least fish (fingers).

My child has multiple allergies so accommodating those would be great. Gluten and dairy free fish fingers, baked beans, gluten free chips etc

Please have lots of high chairs ideally the ikea ones WITH TRAYS.

And a kitchen that serves children's food from 1030/11 (not 12) makes a huge difference when children are still on two naps.

Good luck!

[Janet14]

Sounds silly but find a lot of the activity sheets that a lot of the restaurants give out far too complicated/busy and my children tend to bore them of them very quickly and are more likely to be entertained by a simple picture to colour in!

[UnderTheWillowTree]

Thanks everyone for all your replies- they are all been digested and we have agreed that not serving meat would be a mistake- even if it is something we don't do ourselves! We will ensure it is the best meat possible! This is why your answers & suggestions are very important so don't hold back even if you feel it may offend. Need to have my big girl pants on & actually really value honesty!

Highchairs in abundance is a must, its so frustrating when you have a child group lunch & have to think about who might sit best on a chair

On that note how do people feel about highchairs? Personally i love a chair with a tray but do some of you prefer a sitting at the table type chair?? What about the ones that attach to the chairs??

I too am Gluten/Diary Free so understand the need for that to be accomadated which it will be.

Would an all day child's menu work better?? Just as a fun thing to do sometimes I would do an upside day with the kids they loved it!! So dinner for breakfast/Lunch for dinner etc of course within reason of what we ate!!

[dudette]

All sounds great - I'd have loved something like this when my kids were little. I found making kids tea so boring and always thought it would be great to take them to a place where they can have a good healthy tea. I would try and limit the number of menu items and do specials each day so people are encouraged to keep coming back as their kids will get different food each time. Also although I probably reluctantly have to agree about the meat, try and get as many vegetables into your food as possible so it's super heathy.

Also think really carefully about your location. You're going to need somewhere with a LOT of young kids - which is why Nappy Valley would be ideal. It doesn't have to be on a main high street though - if it's good enough people will go which is why Flotsam and Jetsam is always packed even though it's off a side street.

Also make sure you get great staff. Crumpet went down hill because their staff were a bit surly and lazy. The place was dirty and the food got worse and worse. Again Florsam and Jetsam has lovely friendly staff - it's definitely worth a visit to see what they do right.

Good luck - sounds a great idea!

[UnderTheWillowTree]

All sounds great - I'd have loved something like this when my kids were little. I found making kids tea so boring and always thought it would be great to take them to a place where they can have a good healthy tea. I would try and limit the number of menu items and do specials each day so people are encouraged to keep coming back as their kids will get different food each time. Also although I probably reluctantly have to agree about the meat, try and get as many vegetables into your food as possible so it's super heathy.

Also think really carefully about your location. You're going to need somewhere with a LOT of young kids - which is why Nappy Valley would be ideal. It doesn't have to be on a main high street though - if it's good enough people will go which is why Flotsam and Jetsam is always packed even though it's off a side street.

Also make sure you get great staff. Crumpet went down hill because their staff were a bit surly and lazy. The place was dirty and the food got worse and worse. Again Florsam and Jetsam has lovely friendly staff - it's definitely worth a visit to see what they do right.

Good luck - sounds a great idea!

Thank you for your reply & encouragement. Staff is so important i can't agree enough! Love the daily special idea! Thank you x

[dudette]

[UnderTheWillowTree]

Agree re serving meat, I'd like to see that on the menu or at least fish (fingers).

My child has multiple allergies so accommodating those would be great. Gluten and dairy free fish fingers, baked beans, gluten free chips etc

Please have lots of high chairs ideally the ikea ones WITH TRAYS.

And a kitchen that serves children's food from 1030/11 (not 12) makes a huge difference when children are still on two naps.

Good luck!

Highchairs in abundance is a must, its so frustrating when you have a child group lunch & have to think about who might sit best on a chair

On that note how do people feel about highchairs? Personally i love a chair with a tray but do some of you prefer a sitting at the table type chair?? What about the ones that attach to the chairs??

[newtosouthoftheriver]

I agree with much of the above.
Short menu helpful for those new mums/sleep deprived.
options sound yummy and my 1 yr old would love them all but I know he will become fussy soon.
I second the idea about Delight style children's area- no need for giant soft play just somewhere that adults can supervise the kids without risk of knocking hot drinks over.
re chairs we love the Ikea one. It depends on your seating so if you are having booths with benches or banquettes then worth having some lobster claw chairs that attach to the table- this means child can sit with parents in middle not just at ends of table in high chair.
if normal tables and chairs with space for high chair then that is easiest- needs to have working straps- so many places we go don't and then high chair is useless as baby climbs/slides out...
also practical aspect- wide door and no/few steps for prams!
good luck!

[Alchemy]

Keep us posted how you're getting on!

[UnderTheWillowTree]

Keep us posted how you're getting on!

Sorry for been so quiet lately-- Things are progressing rapidly we are hoping to secure our premises this coming week!! Thank you all for keeping us motivated & driven to create the best place possible xx

[UnderTheWillowTree]

would anybody have a recommendation of a Solicitor that deals with commercial property in London?

[Catherine123]

Yes I strongly recommend Ben Colenutt at Jamieson Alexander. Charming guy that specialises in property law, it incredibly efficient and always happy to have an initial chat first to see if he can help. I have recommended him to all my friends too.
Ben@jamiesonalexander.co.uk
Tel 03302000063