Okwudiri Straightman Nwali

So would YOU pay £2 for a hot water and lemon? Cafe user's damning TripAdvisor review - and the manager's brilliant reply - divides the web

• 'Hannah C' was charged £2 for hot water with lemon at a cafe in York
• After she complained online, the manager pointed to the staff costs involved in preparing the hot drink
• Web users have been divided on the rights and wrongs of the issue
• Are you 'Hannah C' or do you know who she is? We would love to hear from you - email euan.mclelland@mailonline.co.uk or phone 0203 615 0629

Boss: Mike Fisher, pictured, defended charging a customer £2 for a mug of hot water and lemon

A cafe owner has caused an online firestorm after charging a customer £2 for a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon in it.

After the customer, named Hannah C, complained about the 'ridiculous' cost of the drink, manager Mike Fisher hit back by highlighting the cost of the labour needed to make and serve the drink.

His impassioned response has divided the public - with some claiming that Hannah was overreacting to the charge, while others branded Mr Fisher 'rude' and said the price of the drink was a 'rip-off'.

Thousands of people have taken to social media and the MailOnline comments section to weigh in on the controversy.

The row was originally sparked by Hannah's post on TripAdvisor after she had paid a trip to Bennett's Cafe & Bistro in York last month.

She said the cost of her hot water and lemon was over-the-top given how simple it is to make, and accused the waiter of being 'rude' when she asked him to justify the cost.

But Mr Fisher responded with a detailed reply spelling out why he thought £2 was a fair price, breaking down expenses such as rent, staff wages and business rates that contribute to the cost of the drink.

After the incident came to light, several thousand web users expressed an opinion on the row, with the responses sharply divided. 

Complaint: A customer using the profile name 'Hannah C' took to review website TripAdvisor to slam Bennett's Cafe & Bistro in York, saying being charged £2 for a cup of hot water with lemon was 'ridiculous'

Response: The manager said he was sorry Hannah had felt 'ripped off' before justifying the price by breaking down the cost that had gone into providing the drink, including rent, staff wages and business rates

Among those supporting the Bennett's management, many suggested that you should not expect to take up space in a cafe without paying, even if you order just water.