BOB’S CAFE, IPSWICH—Residents of central Ipswich were treated to an unusual spectacle yesterday when a modest cafeteria on the High Street found itself at the centre of a recruitment drive gone awry.

By Our Consumer Correspondent: Colin Allcabs

The Ipswich cafe, known locally for its bacon rolls and weak tea, placed a handwritten sign in the window advertising: “Kitchen hand job available.” Within the hour, a queue of exclusively men had formed that snaked out of the door, past the bus stop, and towards the betting shop.

While owner Bob Prince insists the advertisement was intended to fill a vacancy for a kitchen hand, some of those standing in line were less certain.

“I’ve been unemployed for months,” said one man, declining to give his surname. “But frankly, if it’s what I think it is, I’ll still take it. Either way, it’s better than Universal Credit.”

The confusion was compounded when a staff member attempted to clarify matters by shouting “We’ll be with you soon, it won’t take long!” which, according to witnesses, did little to disperse the crowd.

Sausage Roll

By mid-afternoon, police were called to manage traffic congestion as bemused motorists slowed to watch the spectacle. Officers, after a brief conversation with the proprietor, confirmed that no laws were being broken, though they advised the café to “review its phrasing.”

Local councillor Sheila Merton described the affair as “an unfortunate collision between grammar and natural urges.” She has promised a workshop on “Clear Signage for Small Businesses” later this year.

The Ipswich cafe has since amended the sign to read simply: “Kitchen staff wanted.” The queue, however, has not entirely dispersed. As one hopeful man explained: “I think I’ll hang around, just in case. You never know in Ipswich.”