WE’VE all felt like not paying after having a really bad meal.

But now a cafe has told customers they can pay whatever they want all the time.

Naomi Perkins, who opened Naomi’s Cafe, in Bridge Street, Banbury, in September, said she wanted to see what her customers would pay.

For the last three weeks the cafe has adopted a donation policy, and while some might query the business model, Miss Perkins said she has found a “goodness in humanity”.

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The 29-year-old said: “About 18 months ago I wanted to make significant changes in my life. I wanted to do something completely unrelated to my job in telemarketing.

“I wanted to follow this dream and started planning out this community hub and making enquiries.

“I just jumped in with both feet and with baby steps we have achieved lots in a small amount of time.”

The cafe opened with a set menu on Monday, September 22, before recently adopting the donation policy that sees customers anonymously put their chosen payment into a cash box.

Miss Perkins said: “Banbury has a great range of very diverse groups of people and I wanted to have a range of high quality products and be open for everyone.

“I had this feeling to just give it away and see what comes back through.”

The quirky gimmick has been a talking point for the new business and has so far worked. The creative cafe also hosts events, with open mic nights and exhibitions to help bring in a variety of customers.

The cafe owner added: “The characters and reactions you get are priceless.

“We have found it has worked out about right. Some days we are over and some days we are under; people know what to pay really.

“Some people will pay 50p for a full meal and then I have had others who have asked if we get homeless people in and have paid an extra £10 to cover their meals.”

The cafe has so far relied on the help of family and friends to spread the word about the cafe’s quirky donation policy.


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