Seats wars in Melbourne as restaurant bans café from using its laneway benches when it is closed

A popular café in one of Melbourne’s iconic laneways has been warned it will be fined if it continues to allow its patrons to use the outdoor benches belonging to an adjacent restaurant, even when it is closed.

Melbourne City Council issued the warning to Traveller Coffee on Crossley Street, after Becco Restaurant placed signs on its outdoor benches asking people not to sit on them, even when it's closed. 

Customers have told Daily Mail Australia the ban is “just mean spirited”.

“I mean it's one thing to ask people not to sit there when it's open, but the place doesn't open until midday,” one customer told Daily Mail Australia.

Traveller Coffee has been operating at its Crossley Street location since 2013.

Sheridan Randall, 25^th February 2020