How do seasonal changes affect working in a coffee shop?
As I am writing this, the sun is streaming in through the windows. The morning is light and warm, as the early morning chill is banished and the cool of the night is long forgotten.
The cafe is empty, as most of the customers are outside enjoying their lattes and mochas in the sun. The coffee shop is currently at its most optimal for working.
I am smiling to myself as good weather and sunshine make life feel good, especially if you are British.
Coffee Shops Through the Seasons
Throughout the year, working in a coffee shop will have different effects on your routine and working style.
Each season brings different changes that can add a refreshing difference, but they can also bring disadvantages and problems.
Like many hospitality businesses, coffee shops are affected by seasonal changes. This is due to changing consumption patterns tied to weather, holidays, and seasonal celebrations.
Below I am going to dig into some of the variations you might see. Please note this has been written from a British perspective. These changes will vary depending on your own country.
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Spring
Birds begin singing again, insects reappear, and coffee shops become slightly strange spaces.
People start to socialise more and re-emerge into the daylight after hibernating in the post-Christmas winter. The weather can be great (and awful) and a lot of people's holiday allowance needs to be used up by April, so coffee shops tend to get busier.
Spring Pro-Tip: If the weather is nice and you are brave enough, why not try working outside for a couple of hours from a coffee shop that has outside seating. The extra vitamin D and novelty will do you good.
Summer
Summer is an interesting time to work from coffee shops, as how it affects the space will depend on the layout and how the café operates.
For instance, if the coffee shop has seating outside, the inside could be empty, which can be good or bad, depending on how you view background chatter and noise.
Summer Pro-Tip: Lay off the coffees. It is going to be very hot and humid. Maybe consider iced teas or even soft drinks.
Summer Pro-Tip 2: Consider switching to iced teas or soft drinks, and avoid sitting near windows, which can trap heat like a greenhouse
Autumn
There is something about Autumn that feels like a change to make a new start, more so than spring. However, that is just a personal feeling that I have.
Autumn is the season of leaves falling off trees and coziness becomes the theme of the season. This is when your favourite artisan coffee shops will fill up, especially if they have a roaring fire. People will move inside, and pumpkin spice will appear on the menu.
Autumn Pro-Tip: Use Autumn as a time to discover and try new coffee shops before the winter rush. The schools are back and the coffee shops are emptier, so use this time to explore and find a new favourite coffee shop to work from.
Winter
Winter is always a game of two halves. The first half is the build-up to Christmas, and the second half runs from post-Christmas through to early spring.
Coffee shops will be very different places on either side of the festive season. Before Christmas, they can become especially busy during lunchtime and into the afternoon.
Winter Pro-Tip 1: Before Christmas, shift your coffee shop working hours to the mornings to avoid the crowds and distractions common during the festive season.
Winter Pro-Tip 2: After Christmas and especially during January, increase your coffee shop visits to get out of the house and banish some Winter blues. Also, try to visit independent coffee shops during this period. During January and February, these establishments need cash.
Independent cafés need the support — Starbucks will be just fine.
Final Thoughts
Like any hospitality venue, coffee shops go through seasonal shifts that change how they feel to work in.
Be aware of these differences and build that awareness into how you plan out your time working in a coffee shop. Most importantly, use the changing seasons to work differently and bring some novelty to your routine.
What have you noticed about working in coffee shops at different times of the year? I would love to read about what you have observed in the comments.
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