A supermarket cafe is facing a backlash after bosses decided to go card-only and introduce electronic kiosks.

One resident says the Sheerness Tesco in Bridge Road has “shot themselves in the foot” following the change.

The cafe recently had a revamp which includes a new layout, seating, decoration and signage.

One of the latest additions is three touchscreen kiosks – where customers can browse the menu, select what they want to order and pay.

However, items can only be purchased via card or smartphone.

Minster resident Gerry Cunningham says he never uses the self-service checkouts in shops and plans not to use the new self-service machines at the cafe.

“It’s a good meeting point where people can sit down, have a cup of coffee and a sandwich and chat,” he explained.

“I don't think it’s going to affect customers, but I think it’s going to affect their profits. They’ve shot themselves in the foot doing that.”

He added: “So is that what companies want to do now? Go cashless and get rid of your employees.

“People aren’t going to be able to interact with each other. Customer service has disappeared.”

The company still allows different payment options when buying items in their supermarket and express stories – including cash, card or contactless.

Tesco claims the revamp will “offer a better experience”, with the technology set to reduce queue time.

It has also been well received by customers at other branches.

Shopper Alan Welch believes people should boycott the cafe and make a stand.

The 62-year-old said: “If it’s card only, just refuse to use it.

“Then it will shut down and they’ll have to change the policy. That’s all you can do because they won’t listen.

“Once again it’s the vulnerable people in society that will suffer because elderly people can’t necessarily use online banking or cards very easily.”

Both Alan and Gerry have previously protested after it was announced that the TSB branch in Sheerness High Street was to close.

It will leave only Nationwide on the Island, which has a population of more than 40,000.

Alan, along with nearly 5,000 people signed Gerry’s petition to try and stop it from happening.

“All they’re driven by is greed and that will be mankind’s demise,” Alan said. “It puts people out of work as well.

“I suggest to anybody who is vulnerable and could be missing out if they can get to another cafe in the town – go there instead.”

The changes were also picked up in a local Facebook group, with one person describing it as “three robot machines and a tiny pick-up desk”.

Another claimed the cafe had been seen “nearly empty” when they passed, with three members of staff trying to assist elderly people with the screens.

Cllr Dolley Wooster (Lab), for Sheerness ward, is concerned vital roles may be lost as a result of introducing machines.

“What we need are jobs that don’t particularly need lots of qualifications and ‘halfway’ jobs,” she explained

“For example, it might be for a mum who is coming back from maternity leave.

“Those positions are invaluable because they fit around school times, get them into the workplace and set them up for success.

“It’s incredibly disappointing to hear those kind of jobs are being squashed by a need for profit.”

She added: “Kay Boswell, Tesco’s community champion, works incredibly hard – running a litter collection, getting people together and always giving back.

“This appears to be a corporate decision that has been taken at the head office to save money.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Ind), who represents Sheppey on Kent County Council, says the decision made by the company is a “real shame”.

He said: “I think many people who use the cafe rely on it as part of their social life.

“To have a chat with the person behind the till can mean an awful lot to somebody. I hope that perhaps Tesco could revisit this.”

The new update is expected to be rolled out across UK stores, following an earlier pilot programme.

In July 2023, technology company Givex Corp revealed it had been selected to lead a “digital transformation initiative”.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “Our cafe at our Sheerness reopened on Saturday, August 3, following refurbishment work to improve the facilities and offer a better experience for our customers.”

It is understood that no jobs at the branch were impacted by the change.