23/03/2026
Today I had a bit of a difficult situation in the café, and it’s something I think is worth sharing so people understand what small businesses are up against 💭
A customer came in wanting a sandwich but only had just over £2 in cash. They asked to pay by card, but like many small businesses, we have a £5 minimum spend. I tried to explain why, but understandably it caused some frustration.
The reality is - card payments aren’t free for us. Every transaction comes with fees. For small purchases, those charges can take a big percentage of the sale.
For example:
⛔️A typical card transaction fee in the UK can be around 1.5%–2% + a fixed charge (often 20p–30p)
⛔️So on a £2.50 sale, we could lose around 25p–35p just in fees
⛔️That might not sound a lot, but when margins are already tight (especially in food), it quickly adds up across the day
Then add on top:
😔 Rising energy costs
😔 Increased supplier prices
😔 Rent, wages, insurance, and business rates
Small businesses aren’t setting minimum spends to be awkward - we’re just trying to stay viable and keep our doors open ❤️
We always do our best to look after everyone who walks through our doors, and we’re truly grateful for every customer who chooses to eat and drink with us ♥️
Thanks for understanding and supporting local 💛
