First impressions of this pub are good - a tidy room, nice atmosphere downstairs, friendly staff, but when you start to dig a little deeper, things go off the boil a bit....
The room was reasonably good - I've definitely stayed in a lot worse. The quality of the fittings was good, but let down slightly by a lack of attention to detail. The bed was good, as was the TV (with freeview) so it was perfectly good for working in and getting your head down. I did notice though that (I presume) refurbishments carried out had not been done well, with wood panelling hanging off here and there, and poor attention to detail.
I ordered one of the specials for dinner - belly of pork on a bed of pumpkin in a gravy. Well, I got what I ordered - and nothing else! What, no tatties? Ho hum, the pud was tasty though, although I didn't really feel full. The beer's pretty good, so that helped to make up for things.
The breakfast was a blinder though - the "continental breakfast with a selection of cereals, pastries, cheeses etc. The cheeses were the prepacked things I remember from school, the danishes were at least a day old and their all singing all dancing cappucino dispenser can't get the water hot enough for a decent cup of tea.
However, the thing that really got to me was the variable service: the majority of the staff were very pleasant and helpful, one barman had what can only be described as an attitude problem - badmouthing staff and customers to another one propping up the bar, then failing to complete and follow up orders really let the side down. Whilst I cannot blame him for the lack of service I received waiting for a lunch, I felt that he certainly didn't contribute to a feeling of "the customer is always right" - I'm not belligerent, just after something decent, served in good time. His attitude was brusque, over-familiar and nonchalant to the point of walking off whilst finishing his departing lines to me.
Of my two lunches there, I had to send one back because it was burnt to a crisp, and the other, well, I'd expect a £5+ steak sandwich to be be put on more than a thick slice of Warburton's White - wouldn't you? Not to mention I'd expect it in less than half an hour.
Verdict - good place let down by individuals and a poor attention to detail. I'd like to see a bit more hands on management please!
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