Storm in a teacup

5:41pm Monday 6th August 2007

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An eccentric tea shop owner is causing a stir by barring customers who flout a strict set of rules such as dunking biscuits, clanging their spoons or using mobiles.

David Daly warns customers they will be asked to leave his Brighton shop if they stray from his Victorian-era code of etiquette.

Rules include not putting your elbows on the table, not insulting the Queen, never handling sugar cubes and not sipping from teaspoons.

The "unsavoury habit" of dunking biscuits is "strictly prohibited" and "will resuilt in you being invited to leave the tearooms".

Customers have jokingly described Mr Daly as a Fascist and even set up a website and discussion forum.

One described Tea Cosy Rooms as "the scariest place ever" while another said she had witnessed ejections for "biscuit wetting".

Another customer said: "If you dare talk when the piano lady is performing you are out."

The walls of the Southover Street meeting place in Hanover are decorated with pictures of the Royals.

Visitors are advised that, contrary to popular wisdom, pinkies should most definitely not point into the air.

Banging a teaspoon against a cup and using a mobile phone is banned outright, as is talking "louder than two shakes of a tea cup".

Tourists from across the world have come for their dose of tea-related masochism.

Mr Daly says the menu and setting is based on high tea at the Ritz.

The 30-year-old says he is far from being a Fascist and is actually "very nice" in real life.

He is, however, keen to teach people of the joys of a civilised cup of tea.

He said: "People have to obey the rules and if not they are asked to leave.

"It is the art of tea drinking - this is not going to Starbucks with a mug of coffee.

"Most people don't break the rules anymore but some man did bang his head on the table when I walked in because he was using his phone under the table."

The unusual rulebook has prompted a group, set up on the social networking website Facebook, to discuss the tearoom.

They have complained about the strict set-up asking if Mr Daly is serious or if the whole thing is a joke.

The 17-strong group is called "The tea rooms in Brighton (Southover Street) is run a by a Fascist" and is quickly attracting new members.

The Founder of Facebook group, called "Lisssh Harvell", wrote: "This is the most scariest place ever.

"The first thing you see on the menu is a set of rules about how to behave in the tea room."

She describes some of the rules and adds: "The list is long and intense but worst of all you can't dunk biscuits."

Ms Harvell claims she saw people being chucked out for daring to wet their biscuit.

Eight people have replied with descriptions of their visits to the tea rooms.

Grace Roberts wrote: "I got jam and cream on the handle of the scone tray and he examined my every move after that.

"But seriously, it's no joke, we had to ask for a cream tea because we went in on Lady Diana Spencer high tea Wednesday."

Nargis Alex McCarthy wrote: "You have to go just for the experience. It's just so weird. It was fun and funny though even with the Fascist."

Daisy Jordan said: "This is all true, but it's quite funny and it's really cute in there.

"The guy told me off for my spoon being in the tea cup and then winked at me.

"When I read that etiquette thing I couldn't decide whether or not it was a joke."

Visit www.theteacosy.co.uk for more information.

What do you think of the rules? Have you ever been thrown out of the shop? Leave your comments below or ring the newsdesk on 01273 544519.