I have visited this tearoom 3 times now and will not be visiting again.
Such a shame, when it has the potential, and probably is an absolute goldmine because of it's location in the courtyard of the wonderful Sammy Miller Museum.
On previous occasions, my...visits were during quite constrained Covid times earlier this year and last and primarily for coffee with friends.
I was not overly impressed with the customer service on those occasions but this time was the clincher.
I ordered cake and a " very hot latte with no froth please".
The lady on the till did not seem as though she had been there long as she subsequently seemed unsure about the card machine, I might be wrong. But she responded, not kindly with, "It comes out the machine as it comes".
Other venues have no problem with scraping the froth off and even topping it up with more hot water.
So I asked if I could have a small pot or cup of boiling water...my intention being to do the job myself. The response was "We have to charge you 50pence for that".
You may or may not think that is unreasonable, I do!
My order is finalised, I proffer my card, follow the instructions and the screen goes blank. I ask the lady if it has gone through okay, she didn't know and sought help from the blonde lady who I understand is a co-owner of the business. At the same time I ask if I can have a receipt please.
The staff conclusion is that the machine has gone to sleep. The male, who I understand is also a co-owner comes over, resolves the machine issue and I ask again for a receipt please. This causes more stress to the extent that the response from the male is to raise his eyes to the ceiling at me!!!!!!!
Had I not had such a lovely visit at the Museum, I would have taken them to task at that time, but I did not, remained calm and chose my moment.
The coffee and cake were placed on the table, currently set up on the outside of the building. The blonde female placed them and said a number. I asked if it was my order as I didn't know the number. She brusquely says, "It's on your blue paper".
I hadn't seen a blue paper. She points to my folded serviette, where the lady taking my order had placed the paper with the number inside it.
I have not experienced such a bad customer service attitude for a very long time.
I am amazed they are still in business.
The problem is that in all fairness, their cakes are good but ridiculously large portions, one portion is almost enough for four people - which could be cut in half and the price reduced by a third and actually make more money.
My cake order was put in a paper bag but most food orders were coming out in POLYSTYRENE boxes, which I remember from last time, and plastic knives and forks, drinks in cardboard cups rather than crockery.
In this day and age and being is one of most beautiful areas, you would think they would be more caring towards the environment.
The shame of all this, is that they are in a privileged location at the Famous Sammy Miller Museum and yet they do not enhance the venue.
Hopefully others who have had a similar experience will start to speak up, and review them like me.More