Latest news with #ChrisTate
ABC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Why our coffee can cost more on a weekend than during the week
Have you ever looked at your cafe bill on a weekend and wondered why your coffee is more expensive than it was midweek? Many of us will have paid Sunday and public holiday surcharges before, but they're becoming more common on your average weekend. Extra charges can be frustrating — especially if there's no clear explanation around them or the service doesn't stack up. We asked industry experts why businesses are using surcharges more frequently, and how they are calculated. Under consumer law, businesses are allowed to impose a surcharge if they're facing elevated costs on that particular day. Sean Edwards, managing director of Cafe Culture Magazine, points out that costs have gone up in many areas of the hospitality sector. "We've seen everything go up, from wage costs to superannuation to workers compensation, which adds … nearly 20 to 30 per cent on top of the payroll," says Mr Edwards, based at Port Macquarie/Birpai land on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast. "Then things like electricity have gone up, [wholesale] coffee's tripled in price over the last 12 months. Chris Tate is the operations manager of a coffee-roasting business in North Ryde, New South Wales, on the traditional lands of the Wallumedegal people. He says wages often equate to 35 to 40 per cent of total costs and those costs spike on weekends due to penalty rates. "The surcharge is how venues can honour those award wages without cutting hours, lowering quality, or closing on weekends," he says. "It's a direct link between customers wanting a weekend coffee and making sure the person behind the machine is paid properly." Weekend surcharges aren't about boosting profits, they're helping cafes survive, Mr Tate says. "There's no strict percentage cap on weekend surcharges," he explains, but customers shouldn't be surprised when they go to pay. He adds that charging fairly and communicating that to customers is key. While state or territory regulations on the way surcharges must be displayed may differ slightly, under Australian Consumer Law, businesses must: That means displaying it on printed menus, digital ordering pages, or signage and making sure it's easy to read. "Anything misleading could breach ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) guidelines," says Mr Tate, "so clarity is key". "Most customers are understanding when you communicate openly and respectfully." Mr Edwards believes it would be rare that a cafe is price gouging. "I think at the moment everyone's in a tight spot," he says. "There's a lot of real costs, and I think people have just got to relate it back to their own lifestyle and their own house and the cost they're feeling as well. Mr Tate says the surcharge only works when it's paired with a great experience. "If a customer is paying a little more … they should get more in return such as better service, delicious coffee, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere." Customers who believe they've been hit with undisclosed surcharges can make a complaint with their local fair trading or consumer affairs agency.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Changing Newcastle United's crest is 'changing history', say fans
Newcastle United fans have said they do not support plans to change the club's crest because the current design "represents its history".The club said it was consulting with fans on a new emblem because the current design was too intricate to reproduce Daniel Mulligan said: "I know other clubs have done it but [the crest] represents the history of the club and changing it is something I wouldn't support."But while some fans are disappointed, others say the change is needed to "move with the times". Newcastle United season ticket holders and club members have been given the chance to voice their opinion on the new badge and will be given a choice of options during the second stage of the a number of fans do not want the crest to change at all."The owners have done great things for the club but if they are asking for the opinions of the fans, I think they should stick with the current emblem," Mr Mulligan said. Chris Tate, the manager of sport memorabilia shop The Back Page, said Newcastle has "one of the best emblems in the world"."The design captures the history of the city," he said. "We've got the black-and-white stripes and it's instantly recognisable. I really don't know how you can improve on it."He said while the crest was not on everything the shop sold, any change to the emblem would have an impact on the said the current design was a "wonderful crest" and he would be "disappointed" if the club changed it. Fellow supporter Rachel Riley said altering the badge would be "changing history". "I don't think it's something we should be doing," she said."It will be far too difficult to rebrand Newcastle. You see people with their tops off on sunny days and they've got the tattoo on their arm. "You can't change that - it is part of the culture here." Matty Nicholls has a number of Newcastle United tattoos and even shaved a Greggs sausage roll into his head before the Carabao Cup final to BBC Radio Newcastle, he said the plan to change the crest was not "much of a surprise"."A lot of teams over recent years have been changing badges, so I guess it's just moving with the times," he said."I am sure there will be many fans up and down the country with different opinions but it is going to be hard - you can't please everybody."But he said he would be happy with the new design as long as it represented Newcastle United and its supporters around the having the current emblem permanently inked on his skin, he is not upset by the prospect of a change in the official logo."I've got a little bit more space, so I guess I'll have to use it on the new badge." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
