Starbucks reverses open-door policy with unclear effect in UK | Money news

On By Littum

Starbucks has reversed its North American policy of allowing people to sit in stores and use the restroom without buying anything.

Borrowers in US and Canada now have to buy something or leave.

Starbucks did not respond to questions about what impact the policy change might have on its UK stores.

Sky News asked if there was a code of conduct in UK branches, if people were required to make a purchase and if there were any plans to revise the code.

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The Seattle-headquartered coffee giant published a new coffeehouse code of conduct for its North American business to “ensure our premises are prioritized for use by our customers”.

Anyone not following the rules will be asked to leave and could have the police called on them.

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Among the prohibited behaviors is “abuse or disturbance of our space”. Also included in the list of prohibited behaviors are vaping or smoking, discrimination or harassment, begging, and drinking “other than alcohol.”

“By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our space, we can create a better environment for everyone,” said a Starbucks spokesperson.

A departure from an open door view

That’s a departure from previous guidelines established in 2018 after two black men were arrested at a Starbucks they went to for a business meeting. The Philadelphia coffee shop they attended had a policy of asking non-paying customers to leave and called the police on the couple. The incident was caught on camera and embarrassed the business.

In response, a regional amendment was drafted to create an open door policy.

Starbucks’ then-Chairman Howard Schultz said, “We don’t want to become a public bathroom, but we will make the right decision one hundred percent of the time and give people the key.”

The turnaround comes as Starbucks struggles with slowing sales amid pro-Palestine boycotts.

During the summer suddenly replaced its CEO after the company suffered a bigger-than-expected drop in sales.

New CEO Brian Niccol was offered the use of a corporate jet for his 1,000-mile commute from his home in Newport Beach, Californiato Seattle, Washington.