FAQ
Have a question? Perhaps we've answered it before! Have a look below to see if we can help.
Can I Bring My Own Cat?
Unfortunately no, not all cats get along and bringing a stranger into the café so suddenly would likely upset a lot of our residents, causing undue stress and challenging behaviour. So please keep your own furry friends at home!
How Do You Keep Food Hygiene Standards High?
Prior to opening our doors to the public we dedicated countless hours crafting a café experience that’s as clean and safe as it is cosy and inviting. Our kitchen is tucked away behind two secure sets of doors and is rigorously cleaned before opening, during hours and after close. Kitchen staff put on PPE before entering/leaving the premises so as to ensure nothing unwanted crosses the threshold. Kitchen and front of house staff do not interact or swap roles mid-shift and our kitchen has its own sanitation space where dirty dishes can be thoroughly cleaned before even coming close to any food prep areas again. As well as all this we have several hand sanitiser dispensers dotted around the café for all to use and encourage frequent hand washing at the available facilities.
Does The Café Smell Bad?
We work very hard to make the café somewhere you'll want to come back to again and again - and we can't just ignore one of our five major senses! To keep the café smelling fresh we have a meticulous cleaning process which includes keeping on top of general maintenance, changing the litter boxes regularly and state of the art air purifiers. We even have an air quality reader on our shelves, so you can see for yourself if our air quality isn't up to standard!
Do I Have To Pre-Book?
Booking in advance isn't essential, but it will save you a lot of heartache if you come by for a visit and we're full up. Pre-booking also allows you to tell us anything we need to know before your visit, for example allergies or special requests. Plus if you were wanting to book an afternoon tea our team really appreciates the notice and will be more likely to make any changes you require.
Are Your Cats Adoptable?
The short answer is no. The issue with temporarily homing cats to then be adopted out is that it creates a rolling rotation of cats in the café, meaning none have a stable environment in which to settle. We decided that in the best interest of our cats' welfare we wouldn't place any up for immediate adoption, and if the time came when a certain cat did need to leave the café, for whatever reason, then they would only be rehomed with someone they know and have comfortably bonded with.
Where Are Your Cats From?
Our cats are all rescues, either from local shelters or directly from unsafe circumstances. Obviously when dealing with cats who haven't had the best starts in life it can be tricky to settle them into a comfortable routine, especially with other cats. That's why all of our cats were adopted as kittens and juveniles, meaning they grew up together and were able to adapt to café life and each other from a young age.
Can I Stay All Day Long?
When booking online we offer one-hour slots before the table is available to be reserved again. However there is currently no real time limit as we don't want our guests to feel rushed or to keep staring at the clock instead of enjoying their time. However we do ask that guests respect table reservations that have been pre-booked and not stay for over an hour during busy periods. This is so that everyone can get a chance to come in and enjoy the café. But if there isn't a queue out the door then feel free to stay as long as you like!
Is The Café Accessible?
The front section of our café is step-free and best for those with mobility issues. The rest of the café is beyond a short two-step raised level, including the toilets, but staff can provide a ramp for those who require it. If you need any other accommodations please let our staff know and we will help wherever we can. In addition we also have certain sessions that make the café more accessible for those with sensory needs - please feel free to have a look at our SEN Sessions under Events/Workshops.
Do You Charge For Entry?
Currently no, and we would like to keep it that way! Puss In Books was created so that people and cats could both benefit from each other's company, and we feel that to charge entry would risk diminishing that purpose and turn the café into a gimmick rather than an authentic community hub. However, due to the extra costs of cat care we rely even more on your business, so when visiting please check out all we have to offer - food, drinks, merchandise, etc. You can also show your support for us by making a donation - of which every penny goes directly to caring for our cats.
What Are Your Rules On Groups?
We currently allow a group maximum of six per booking. This is because large groups can overstimulate the cats and their comfort and welfare comes first. This rule extends to walk-ins and special bookings such as birthdays.
Do You Allow Children?
We allow children aged 12+ to enter the café. We have this policy because some cats struggle with children of younger ages and can become stressed with the high energy levels that they often bring along with them. Additionally we want to minimise the risk of injury should a cat feel cornered and lash out, and we have found that children of secondary school age are more likely to demonstrate the control required to safely interact with our cats.
Do You Have Rules?
Yes! And they are very, very important. Any guest found breaking the rules may be asked to leave the café by staff, and no one wants that. Check out our rules right here:
How Do I Get Involved?
Check for current job vacancies with us. But there are also plenty of other ways to work with us - volunteering, donations, skill sharing, etc. If you would like to talk to us about volunteering then please send us a message.