I’ve given up on J.D.Wetherspoon’s Sir Robert Peel pub in Bury. For years I’ve gone on Sunday afternoon for a meal and a few pints. Now I’ve moved to another pub nearby, less choice of beers, more expensive food, but with some idea what customer service means, which Wetherspoon’s seem to have lost altogether.
They need more and better-trained staff. It’s common to stand at the bar for several minutes waiting for a staff member to appear, only for them then to serve their mates first. How do I know they’re their mates? Because they call them by name, and serve them all before asking “Who’s next?” Even if you walk up to an empty bar you have to wait for the bar staff to finish their chit-chat. Once, when I asked one of them if I’d suddenly become invisible, I obviously had, as she walked the length of the bar to serve somebody who hadn’t even reached it yet.
Now winter’s here the pub is bitterly cold, as it is every winter. Almost everybody sits in topcoats, and there appears to be no source of heating.
The cold also applies to the food. You can sit near the kitchen and see meals emerge only to spend five or ten minutes getting colder before someone arrives to deliver them to a table. Incidentally, the tables are cleared with the frequency of petrol price reductions, and with the same reluctance.
Still on food, Wetherspoons make much of their Steak Night, but if you order a steak dish on Sunday, you’ll get an ordinary knife, completely unsuitable and unusable. If you ask for a steak knife they can’t find any, even if you’re the only person eating food of any sort. Do they hire the cutlery for Tuesday nights only?
Amazingly, this pub serves a whisky in a half-pint glass. It’s true. When I asked for it to be changed I was told they didn’t have whisky glasses, always served it that way, and nobody else complained. Really? Everybody I’ve told is frankly incredulous. Eventually, having been shown every type of glass behind the bar, I got my whisky in a wine glass, unsatisfactory, but the best they could do. This aberration also applies to the Wetherspoon’s on Piccadilly in Manchester! As with steaks, I can’t understand why Wetherspoon’s boast about their whisky selection and prices, when they haven’t a clue how to serve them.
I do miss the guest ales, I admit, but not enough to sit all afternoon without heating or eating or being able to finish off with a whisky in a proper glass. Until I hear things have improved I won’t be back.
Yours regretfully
Ex-customer
{ 110 comments… read them below or add one }
i went to use the mans toilets at your godalming pub on monday this week 2 of cubicals had no seats and one that did was not clean i said something 2 girl working at bar and she sorted it however she said the girl that was ment to be checking toilets would not do mens as she dont like doing it now having done a job that invoiled doing that i understood however i was not impressed 2night when i was waiting at bar and she would not serve me over it when she was 3 and i had 2 wait till someone eles was 3 i think this is bad everyone one eles there works so hard and i wont stop going there over it but i am not happy
ANY LUCK IN SOLVING A SENIOR CITIZEN PROBLEM
Dear Madam or Sir,
Please read my letter again because am not talking about the upstairs Toilets but the RADA TOILET down stairs?
Read again the story of RADA TOILETS
When the lock is first installed all you have to do is follow the instruction above the lock and pull the lever upwards this then disengages the lock so it can not be opened even with a RADA Key holder (But There Is Slit Where on it can be opened in an Emergency by Management).
Because of a design fault this function soon beaks down, so another lock or bolt is installed in its place, this then solves the problem.
So when this is done problem solved this is all the Michael Balcon need to do and only costs very little from somewhere like Wicks in Hanwell.
So if we could get Wetherspoons to sort out the above toilet it would be a great help to us Senior Citizens who have great difficulty in climbing stairs and in an Emergences it also has a hand basin in it’s cubicle so you can undo any problems with dignity (Unlike The Over Basins Which are Outside The Cubicles) I suggest you borrow the RADA KEY from the management and you will see what I am talking about?
Also I know it is not your area, but if you could ask your college for Hayes to solve the problem with The Botwell Inn Wetherspoons.
I would finally like to say I have contacted Wetherspoons Head Office in Watford only to be told to have a word with the Pub Manager but I have had no luck in this area.
So this is why I have had to contact you.
Graham Goodall
GEEGEESTABLES@HOTMAIL.COM
Hooray Hooray I found a Wetherspoons in Subiton whose RADA Toilet whose lock I found that actually Worked.
i totally agree with what you two have said, i until recently have been working with wetherspoons and was horrified about the way they act upon staff.. food falling on the floor inthe kitchen and then them picking it up “10minute rule” they would say.. and then place it back onthe plate to be served.
absolutly appauling i must say.
TIM MARTIN loosing money,
i am a fan of all wetherspoons in u.k.
but of late the scarborough branch lord roseberrys some staff a very minority one in this case in particular has had a very bad attidude to her staff working under her,(down stairs)
the reason came to a head when i visited their last night tuesday the 9th of march
i work at east coast promotions scarborough some times very late where i met my friends
one 72 years old the other 76 for a drink,
i asked the lady in charge the bar (no name badge)
if i could have a look at a bottle of wine in the cooler
i asked quite politley twice the second time i asked i was told that i should not ask
in a tone of voice, both my friends said politely to her that i did ask twice,
according to others this was not the first incident.
another customer not in our company comented on her attitude,
i read your latest magazine and have always wished you well and over a number of
years have sent countless visitors to roseberrys through my connecting with business
in the u.k. and abroad
i always send them details of scarborough with starting phrase
(ROSEBERRYS IN SCARBOROUGH THE STARTING PLACE FOR PLEASURE)
i do think that this should be sorted as i am hearing varied reports,
again i would say that i wish all the good staff all the very best
i agree with the comments of TIM MARTIN in the last magazine
and hope he takes notice of what is basicly a great asset to the town
the lord roseberry.
yours f tait 124 victoria road scarborough
promo@eastcoastpromotions.net
p.s. great steak meals all the best
Hunters Hall Pub Galashiels.
Ourselves regular users
Menu and Recommadation displayed in Guest House.
Most members of staff ok.
Except Now the manager and at least 2 staff do not know how to deal with customers and there complaints. In other word they should be fired.
For example if this idiot cost your company £30.000 pa in sales would you employ him
We complained bitterly on several occasions we complained bitterly about service, clearing of tables and this guys attidude. We did not go back to the place for 6 months then decided to try it again.
When we went to the bar we were tolod soory you are barred.
The manager at the time we complained was an Irish Guy. first class. and the the guy that barred us was a shift manager. but now he is Manager. How can you employ somebody like this who is losing your pup in Galashiels a fortune (much more than his salary)
we would like area manager to contact us for an interview. Before we go to the local press.
By the way we are local Business people that accomadated Witherspoons first manager when the place opened.
Mr & Mrs Eddie Dunlop
I am really disappointed with the Back of Beyond in Reading. They have absolutely no respect for any of their locals.
Many of it’s locals have recently moved to a near by wetherspoons because of the ill treatment they have received,
One elderly man had been visiting the back of beyond for years having brought his dinner there at lunch time every day 1st course and main, He returned to the pub from being in intensive care after a serious stroke and ordered his meal like usual with very little energy. When his food arrived he asked the management to close some of the doors as the wind was blowing all the menu’s into him. The management replied with a solid “NO, IT’S SUMMER TIME” and left him.
I was so shocked by the ill treatment of this man. I would never go to a wetherspoons again. The company dose not seem to care for it’s customers. What ever happened to the welcoming, homely community pub. Whetherspoons is slowly destroying. A pub is more than just pouring pints and serving food. It should be a place where you feel at home and can relax. A Public house.
I was very disturbed to find your wetherspoons in hemel hempstead had a fire door which could only be used by people with a code to get in and which was being blocked by a sofa anyway. Blocking of fire exits is illegal and the sign indicating it as an exit should not be there
The code will be to deactivate the alarm on the door, you will be able to push the door open without using the code in the event of a fire, however it will set off a sensor alarm.
How if it is blocked by a sofa?
Hi All Wetherspoonies my local Wethersoons has a quite nice Garden.
It also has a gate leading to the pavement which could be used in an emergency to get out.
The only trouble is it has Padlock and Chain to prevent it from being opened.
GEEGEESTABLES@HOTMAIL.COM
service [if thats what you want to call it]! unless your a personal friend or family in the st annes branch [the trawl boat] lancashire, is a disgrace.and any brewery promotions are given too friends and family freely before the customer! the place is dirty and grubby and not to be recommended.the place i notice is started to be frequented by “local heavys”!…………if you can avoid a visit to this branch, do so! you will be doing yourself a favour.
sorry,mispelt,but hey……wetherspoons…..in st annes,lancashire [the trawl boat] clicky! dirty,and badly run………fact! and locally recognised as such!………avoid if you can.
i have been visiting this pub for over 5 years now. last year a young new manager took over the premises and yes there were a few wrinkles to be straightened out but everything there is better than ever now. The staff are very friendly and the pub is very clean. I think you are very quick to judge when you say `heavies`. My grandson is a bodybuilder and I think its great that we both enjoy visiting the same place. The Trawlboat inn is highly recommended by myself, my family and friends.
Visited my local wetherspoons on Tues 20th July. Thought we would give the Steak Club a go. As it is advertised as 3pm – 10pm we had a drink before ordering at 8pm. Sorry no steak left!!As the pub wasn’t very full I think they should order more so that customers( there were 4 of us) don’t have to go elsewhere. Or at least advertise it as 3pm until we run out which is usually quite early!
Loretta Parker
Ernehale pub Arnold Nottingham
My local Weatherspoons The Sir Julian Huxley, Selsdon, is like something out of a Fawlty Towers sketch as how not to run a pub.
It opened in 2000 with no competition in the area and was initially ok. However it has gone steadily down hill ever since. They put the clock forward several minutes so they can kick you out earlier, the staff used to order you downstairs 20 minutes before closing time like herding cattle, which appears to have stopped, however their thunderous roar (mainly in shrill tones delivered by female bar staff) can still be heard at the appointed times throughout Croydon.
However (and they can bloody take me to court if they wish) … today they violated all that is right and proper in a decent pub – they watered down the beer !! without doubt. I am 48 and my brother 56, both experienced drinkers (not drunks!) First there was the a pint of Abbotts ale , very cool and watery with little body, which I drank, my brother drank the Ruddles ale, again watery with no body and little taste. We immediately complained to the bar staff getting 2 pints in return of Guiness. A drink that should have full body , flavour and a creamy like texture – but oh no watery with no body. I then changed to John Smiths in the vain hope of getting something that tastes like a pint of beer – no oh no oh no – watery with a sweet after taste and cold. When my brother again spoke to the bar staff he merely shrugged his shoulder, giving no eye contact – hardly refuting the point..
Weatherspoons is fast becoming the Tescoes of pubs. It is dominating most areas with smaller pubs having to close because of the cheap beer (i use the word loosely) that is offered.
However we have ourselves to blame in the pursuit of saving a fiver on a decent few beers we enter these emporiums of mediocrity , put up with surley service and endure bad beer. Although I rarely visit this shambolic establishment my recent experience has deterred me from re entering this ‘Flag Ship of what is wrong with chains’ pub ever again.
I will be writing a letter to the head office as I believe the pub is an essential part of our community, however Weatherspoons look disdainfully upon us thinking only of he pursuit of profits.
Beside that it was a good night…..
not saying they are or are not and in no way work for weatherspoons, but water in all the beers is a sure sigh they are not cleaning the beer lines correctly , basicly not pulling the beer through until the water is gone. not a defence in anyway shape or form
i think you talk out of your arse mate. watered down? would a massive company like wetherspoons with 800+ pubs need bad publicity about them watering down beer? i really dont think so i think you need to sort your pallet out
No, to be honest John, I’ve noticed the same thing, it really does taste watered down. However, I think this isn’t because they actually water it down, I think it’s because of their business model- they buy in beer that’s only a few days from going off, for very low prices, and then they sell it cheaply. That would sort of account for tit- stale beer could be mistaken for watered down beer.
I know a few people that have worked for weatherspoons and have discovered that they do not get to keep ANY of their tips! i was dissapointed to find that they go straight to Head office to put toward buying more stock for the company.
iam not happy with time piece dewsbury,i have been barred for 18 month for nothing other than helping the staff out one night and the police were called on the night and the shift manager on the night thanked me for helping them out,the culprit was pointed out and arrested.went in the week after and was barred for what?nothing ?,been in tonight the same again by the temp manager,but yet again been far worse incidents happened and the people involved still going in,think weatherspoons needs to give me and my partner a apoligy for the embarrasment caused hope to hear from you with a satisfactory conclusion with thanks
i was in weatherspoons in folkestone and had only my birth ceritificate on me, however there could not accept it as ID which is understandable so i ordered a coke.
i then spent some time with my friends and family before going back down to the bar where the gentlemen in a white shirt piercing all over his face told me to get out, becasue i had no ID. i did not in anyway speak to him badly i asked him why is that and he stated again get out, i asked again why and he said i’ve told u to get out.
the way he spoke to me was unacceptable, considering i was there for personally reason i had to leave without even getting a chance to say good bye to my friends and family. i hope you will reply to this complaint becasue i was not happy about the way the staff at the folkestone weatherspoons acted and spoke to me at all.
thank you
leatham
JOIN MY GROUP ON FACEBOOK AND WATCH ME ON YOUTUBE! “The good Yarn Wetherspoons support discrimination” we had appauling customer service from bar staff and then she humiliates me, homophobic and nasty attitude THE MANAGER BACKS HER UP! when I complained to headoffice THEY BARRED ME! I am having to sort this out myself. Please support me. I am not going to sit back and have bad customer service, be humiliated and barred by a national company and let them get away with it!
Does this not tell you something? for a chain as big as you are why don’t you spend more time on customer service. I can understand using students is cost effective but there must be a point where even these ‘kids’ need to be taught how to relate with others not of their generation. I did and now this is making into a grumpy old man
Please don,t edit this comment as you did the last one; posted 18th Oct. Having spent over 35 years in the pub/bar trade starting as a barman and graduating to manager of two leisure-center bars I have always held that the customer comes first. If Wetherspoons want to be a viable driving force in keeping the ‘LOCAL’ going and cast off the cloud of being another TESCO killing off local smaller enterprises who do care about customers; then you really should invest time and money in educating your bar staff. Given the latest reduction in public service jobs wouldn’t it be more in your and your customers interest to employ more mature people who care. I for one could go into either of your establishments in Darlington and point out the failings.
Dear Sir / Madam
I am writing to ask for your clarification of
your family dining policy, whilst I appreciate the basic element of this policy I have found myself barred from not 1 but 3 of your establishments after falling foul of this policy.
I entered the Angel in Doncaster on Monday 1st November with my friends, my girlfriend and children, was already in there waiting to order food. We sat at separate tables to avoid confusion as I didn’t want to dine . After my girlfriend had finished her meal and one drink she approached my table. My girlfriend went to the bar to get herself a drink and she was asked to leave, I then approached the bar and I was told that I could not be served until my girlfriend had left the premises, my girlfriend left the Old Angle so I went back to the bar and said I was under the impression customers were aloud two drinks with there meal and stated I was going to complain to head office. I was asked to leave as I was going to complain .
On Tuesday the 2nd I returned and spent most of the afternoon there.
On the 3rd I again returned and had an opportunity to speak to the manager, he told me I was barred for life for allegedly swearing at a staff member, I told him I didn’t swear at all and had several witnesses who would confirm this, his reply was that I could have 55 witnesses he didn’t care and he had heard me swear himself but he wasen’t there at the time on Monday and he was wrong to take this stance. I was told to leave, I then went to the Gatehouse in Doncaster another one of your establishments and stayed there for a few hours.
On Thursday the 4th I returned to the Gatehouse the manger there told me to leave as I was also barred and unable to go in the Red lion and was barred for life there. I absolutely refute swearing at the staff member, and previously said there were several witnesses who are regular customers at the Angel as am I to confirm this.
I am a 53 year old disabled man who doesn’t work and regularly visit the Old Angel during the day solely for socialising with my friends and often leave around 6 pm by taxi.
I have never been barred from any pub or club and am not a trouble causer, just a social drinker who enjoys Wetherspoon pubs where most of my friends drink and meet up.
I am thoroughly dissatisfied at the way I have been treated and would wish that these life bans be annuled so I can continue to enjoy the time I spend in your establishments. . It also seems to me that by challenging a staff member for clarification of an issue I have been victimised for doing so which I am sure is not the Wetherspoons way, as customer company dialogue is always a positive aspect of any relationship as proved by your big monthly magazine which does this by way of letters and replies.
Please can you clarify the position and make amends for the appalling way I feel I have been treated by your staff.
I am writing this letter after my recent experience at my local Wetherspoons in Durham ‘The Bishops’ Mill’, on Saturday 11th November at 5pm.
Firstly me and my partner are regulars at different Wetherspoons around England especially when we go anywhere visiting or shopping. We have been to Scarborough, Blackpool, St. Annes, four different ones in Manchester, three different ones in London and the nearest ones to us the ones at Newcastle and also our most local which is 3 miles away the two in Durham. Recently when we went to London in October I downloaded the app for my I phone which made it really easy to find the pubs as we love going to them as we know the drink is cheap and also the food is nice.
Now onto my recent experience in the Bishops Mill at Durham. Me and my partner were going to the Gala cinema in Durham to see a film which is just across from the Bishops Mill. We had 30 minutes before the film was going to start so we decided to go in for a drink. I went to the bar for a couple of drinks and was waiting a couple of minutes. Firstly the bar person was looking at me and I presumed I must be next to get served. When she did serve me she kept looking at me and I could not understand why. Underneath my coat she could see a couple of letters and she asked is that a Henley top you have on? My response was yes it is, then she said sorry I am not going to serve you as I am not allowed to serve anyone with Henley tops on. I thought that she was having a joke but she told me again that she would not serve me.
Me and my girlfriend were left gob smacked and could not believe it, so we walked out in disgrace and just waited for the film to start. Afterwards we were going to be going for some food at Wetherspoons but with that experience we decided just to go somewhere else as I did not want to be embarrassed again.
My wife, grandaughter, and I visited The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in Oadby Leicester some 5 weeks ago for a meal . We were disappointed with our meals but having on previous occasions used Wetherspoons around the country, we assumed it to be an isolated case. We again went there for a meal on Wed 24th Nov 10 . and ordered a starter, and 3 half roast chicken . The chicken was dry,tough,and stringy, and was left mostly uneaten. The chips were luke warm , and the plate was flooded and overflowing with peas , which was hugely offputting.. I complained to the waiter, who apologised. However it spoilt the evening for us and we left very dissatisfied ,and will not be making a third visit to your Oadby establishment.
the pilgrim oak must have the worst kept & poorest real ale in your company
hucknall nottingham (has a lot of busy pubs) why no effort to rectify the problem & boost sales ?
Crown and Sceptre Streatham London Very nice friendly pub with nice homely ambiance.Staff are helpful and MARK is very good at resolving problems without getting all defensive. He certainly has got good people skills. A credit to the company. Recently I got confused and he pointed out in a friendly and patient way,where I had got it wrong. Food is good,and delicious, but you could give us a few more chips.Keep up the good work,a joy to visit.
i was in a wetherspoon yesterday and i feel sorry for the staff. customers often speak to them like dirt and these pompus tight wads who want the earth at rock bottom price need to realise that you may not get perfect service for a drink that costs a 2/3 the price of some other pubs!
having been a regular customer of the moon under the water cradley heath,this is now the second day they have a problem with gas for the beer. customers leaving by the boat load gabby gobsh#t the main gaffer her mobile turned off [theres a suprise].ITS all left too leon or sam to upset the regulars [IE] mr parsons with no john smiths. ANY chance u could sort this tim/NOCHANCE . LEAST TREVS GOT ICE LOL
Both me and my wife have visited The Doncaster branch of Wetherspoons twice a week for the last 4 months and have a meal and a couple of drinks on each occasion, We will now be taking our custom elsewhere as the bar staff are so useless it as become a complete joke, I went in yesterday and in the space of 14 minutes standing waiting to order meals and drink’s at the bar the staff were so busy chatting to each other and serving there frinds 2 women complained and the guy told her you’ll wait like everyone else when she pointed out she had been waiting and it was her turn he ignored her, The 2 women left then a man said he had been waiting and they were serving out of turn he also got told to wait his turn so he up and left, I waited another few minutes then when the barman said who’s next a youth said me laughing as he had just come to the bar but suprise suprise the barman served him, I turned and left and will not return to any wetherspoons again. employ people not monkey’s or you will soon only have peanuts.
Customer service ? I went to wetherspoons in Bolton on a sunday afternoon. My mate bought the first round. When I went to the bar for refills the 3 staff where busy talking to their mates. When a woman appeared at the till close by I asked her if I could be served. Her response ” we make miserable c@@ts who complain wait ” and she walked away
Having heard her comments one of tbd other staff broke off his chat with his friends and served me. He gave me the name of the woman at the till
I emailed wetherspoons whilst still in the pub to complain about the womanise comments we drank homage left
A few days later I got a letter in response to my email telling me I was banned from the pub !
I replied saying I would not want to return to a pub where the staff are foul mouthed and the service poor
They response from wetherspoons was – we will not lift the ban !
They obviously don’t even bother to read complaint letters or can’t understand them.
Cheap beer poor quality food slow service and appalling customer service
An achievement Tim Martin. Zero percent on all counts
Sir,
I have been using the Woodrow Wilson in Carlisle since it opened and recently I have been going for a coffee just after 0700 before the gym & pools open. Not anymore, I now have to pay £1 to park my car, then pay £1.19 or £1.29 for the coffee.
I have been reading some of the complaints and I agree with the person who doesn’t like his spiriits in half pint glasses and especially Brandy. Why have you no tot or brandy glasses?
The basic maintenance in the pub has gone right down the pan apparently they only visit once a month and not always then. I used to do it the first 3 years and Richard Lieth, the first manager and later the area manager said it was the cheapest pub for repairs in his area because I did it, usually the next day.
There has been a buzz going round that one of your pubs has banned electronic cigarettes, I hope its wrong, because I use one when its too cold or wet to go outside and have had no problem here.
The manager and staff in the WW are great and often come and sit with us regulars when on their break.
Please sort out these nigglies and get rid of Euro car parks they are rip off merchants.
R.Reid-Sinclair.
i was informed only yesterday that i was not allowed to use my ecig in the pub, ‘as other customers can not tell the difference’!!!!!
i have just sent a complaint regarding this matter, but from what i have read here i now expect to be banned from the pub, big deal
On Tuesday last my wife and I went into the Pilgrims Bar Bedford as usual. After standing at the bar for five minutes watching three staff serving down the other end, and not once looking up to see me and another couple of chaps waiting, I called out to them, “Excuse me is anyone serving down this end please? With that a female staff member came towards us with a face like thunder. “You should stand further down,” she said unpleasantly”.
I said “I’m a customer and you shouldn’t be talking to me like that.” Pointing out that it shouldn’t matter where I stand. (When I was a barman I was taught to be alert and aware to who was next in line, irrespective of where the customer stood). With that she stormed off.
She returned shortly and said the manager told her not to serve me.
I was stunned. In sixty years of going in pubs I have never been treated like that.
I then had a word with the manager who said, “I will serve you if you like, but she doesn’t have to”. So what he is saying is any Wetherspoons employee can be as rude and surly as they like, and if a customer says anything about their conduct, not only can they refuse to serve us, the manager will condone such petulant and childish behaviour.
My wife and I have a caravan and visit Wetherspoons pubs all over the country. I now understand why in general a lot of the staff who apparently are not subjected to any discipline, have such a bad attitude. It’s because they can get away with it. I have seen men time after time walk out of The Pilgrims because they were sick of waiting for a drink.
If you want to see how customers should be treated go into any Lakeland shop.
I will not be putting up with the demeanour of your staff any longer. I would rather pay five pounds a pint to be treated civilly.
I sent this letter to Mr Tim Martin. I received a bog standard letter from their costomer relations, that didn’t address my complain in any way.
I’m appalled at the number of complaints about JDW pubs, my friend & I look for one in every town we visit and next friday 7 of us are doing a Last of the Summer Wine tour to the borders, where we are assured of 2, the new one in Hawick, opened last month and Hunters Hall which has had an awful write-up in this column.
As I’ve never been to either, we will judge for ourselves and comment later.
RRS
dear sir,i wish to complain about the foul language while drinking in your pub at the top of the town in basingstoke.i complained to the staff but it was ignored.
Last tuesday myself my partener and my grandson went into wetherspoons in halifax to celebrate my grandsons birthday,we all had a meal and it was awful,i had the gammon and the other two meals were large mixed grills the meat was tough and the gammon was all gristle,the chips were cold and altogether the meal was really bad,i go into wetherspoons regularly and this is the first time i have been dissapointed,i told the waiter it was not good but he didnt seem to bother,all in all it spoiled what should have been a nice treat for my grandsons birthday,will think again before eating there again.Seeing that a new wetherspoons is opening soon in halifax i suggest you get this problem sorted
Couldn’t agree more but that’s spoons for ya
!
I visted JDs in Oadby Leicester and noted on many occasions that Indian customers were always kept waiting and not served, if they were a liitle loud they would be told immeadiately to hype down or else leave. White patrons even if loud and using foul language were not reprimanded. On my last visit (St Patricks Day) I was waiting with cructhes at the bar. The barmaid Shara, saw me and my collegue yet chose to serve three people ahead of me. I eas quite vocal after a while and yet she still chose to ignore me and numerous other Indians. I wrote to the Head Offcis and spake to Mr Drpaer, he denied that SHarah was ever working on that day. Saw I said well lets look at the CCTV footage. Surprise surprise, they saisd the CCTV was not working that day! Never been back, however I see a Mosque is being opened up in close proximity. Sort of poetic justice really!
It would appear that wetherspoons has a big problem with regards to management and staff training throughout all pubs and all areas which suggest something is wrong with management if they think this is acceptable. The one in Herne Bay where I used to go is a total shambles both on the food and drink. The staff (with the odd exception) are generally rude if you can get served (average 10 min ), friends get served quickest. The quality of the cooking of the food is very poor, sometimes totally crap. The building requires many repairs including the raised area near the bar which bounces as people walk over it, quite a strange feeling to watch your glass shudder across the table without being touched. In conclusion it would appear that general management don’t care less, if I were Mr wetherspoon I would be sacking them, and employing someone who could see that with proper staff management his pubs could be turning over double.
James
We have been to Scarbourgh called at wetherspoons. No order whatsoever at the bar . My husband waiting at the bar, womam came up talking on her phone but somehow managed to get served with a bottle of wine before him. Waiting to be served is bad euough when there are only two bar staff but someone walking in and being served straight away is not on . That pub needs some sort of queueing system or it will keep losing customers . It is also looking very run down lots of dust on the pictures toilets very smelly..
The customer service at The William Jolle in Northwood Hills was a disgrace last night (May Day Bank Holiday Sunday). Earlier in the week, a calendar stating the closing times was placed on the door, stating that on Sunday 1st it would be open until midnight. When I went there that evening I found that the calendar had been removed & later on I found out why. At 11.00 pm the staff rang the bell – this was the first time it had been rung. I went to the bar with a friend to be told that the bell was rung because the bar was now closed. They hadn’t rung the 10 minute bell for last orders & when my friend complained one of the bar staff was rude to him. We were told to speak to the duty manager who stated that the bar was only open until 11.00 pm, & when my friend told him it was advertised as being open until midnight the manager asked him where he’d seen it advertised. When my friend said it was advertised on the door he couldn’t prove it because the calendar had been conveniently removed. It was a devious attempt to close the pub early & might even be illegal under the grouds of false advertising or failure to display hours of business on licensed premises. It was just unbelievable!
I Have No further comment
i went 2 one of ur pubs over 3years ago in worcester foregate im disabled and wanted to use the toilet it was very quite no staff behind the bar to ask to open the disabled toilets so i opened the kitchen door to see if a member of staff was in there the only person in was a scruffy lookin personwho i found out was the cook so iaskedhim if he could open the toilets for me his reply was get out off this kitchen so iwent to the barstill no staff at the bar as i said it was very quite i eventualy got a member of staff toopen the disabled toilet for me when i had finnishedi i went to the bar tooreder a drink for me and my wife only to be told iwas being barred when asked why i was toled for entering the kitchen . i returned the other day for the 1st time in over three years with an 82 year old man on a electric wheel chair only to be told i was still barred from ordering a mealand a drink for me and the elderly man..if this is a offence what i did and was told its alife ban then there is something wrong …. is it because u dont want disabled people in your pubs incase thy have an accident and make a claim or are the disabled people tomuch hard work for your staff to cope with .. i would like to know wich it is …. hope for a reply soon .. as im still awaiting for a reply from the letter i wrote to you 3 years ago when the incedent happend…
i have been to weatherspoons in the week and had quite good meals, then decided to go on a sunday for sunday meal i wish i had’nt it was bland the veg was so hard as if they had not even cooked it for 1 minute the roasters i am not sure about them they were terrible, the gravy well i don’nt know it was terrible.when i ordered’ i thought, wouldn’t it be nice to bring the family because it’s a good price forget that now and some one else said she was not coming back as well, it does not take an expert to get a sunday roast right pull your finger out and get it right because once you get it wrong you wont get people back …… they talk to other people and it goes on and on …………….i talked to the manager and he was nice and said it was not his fault that is weaterpoons and that they get it up to spec…………….what spec is that ………….the higher managing or what ever you sit down and taste it and see what you think ………from very un satisfied customer
Today I had the misfurtune to experence Wetherspoons “Staek Club” at The Moon Under the Water in Milton Keynes.
The first service the chips were just warm, ie they would have been stone cold by the time I’d eaten half of them. The second service the steak was cold, I was offered a refund which I should have accepected. I was hungry so when the third service produced the same result I eat it and left.
P.S. I will avoid Wetherspoons in thr future.
why are the price of curries in the white ball inn at tiverton cheaper than the welligton pub in minehead?eg for a family of four it is an additional 240p on the cheapest meals! why is this? i have a copy of both menus in front of me regards ron oliver
Yes, J.D. Wetherspoons does have a lot to answer for, but from visits and friends who work their, there is a reason that the staff are not to be desired. They are treated very poorly.
The local Wetherspoons to me has a turn over of 3/1 at the moment, where for every one member of staff that is hired, three leave. This is due to a number of reasons, but I’m guessing that the way that they are treated is the main one. I am forever hearing behind the bar that the staff are not allowed to accept tips, they aren’t allowed to refuse over time, if they take holiday, days that they aren’t rotad for are still taken as holiday. (if you only work saturdays and sundays, and take a week off, you will loose 7 shifts holiday, not the 2 that your contract says you should).
The worst stories I’ve heard is the abuse that the staff get off of drunken customers. I’ve seen two bad things happen in my visits. One boy in the smoking area was cleaning the ashtrays, he asked a customer if he could clean the one in front of the customer, to which the customer picked up the ash tray and hurled it at the boys face. The boy looked like he was going to explode but walked away with a nasty cut on his face. Another incident happened in a similar fashion with another boy going to clean an ashtray when a customer decided it would be funny to put out a cigarette on the boy’s arm.
Why the boys didn’t react in these occasions I don’t know, but I think it’s appaling that the staff are treated like this by customers and that they seem to have a naff deal with their terms of employment. I think they need to be given some slack, it would take a very desperate person to do that job, either that or the money is worth having a solid ashtray with white hot ash thrown at your eyes or having a cigarette put out on your arm.
I have just got back from a holiday in Bodmin Cornwall why is it only £1-09 for a coffee and £1-39 in Kent, this is co un fair.
Postcode inflation, the better off the area, the higher the price. It is the same in any big chain of pubs. Wetherpoons, Hungry Horse, Sizzling etc.
to whom it my concern , myself and four friends have been going to your weatherspoons since it opened in ANDOVER for our morning coffee we loved it there but in the last few months we have been told children can not sit down the bottem they had to sit up the top near the kitchen which we did then we had to put up with the kitchen staff swearing so we started to sit outside when it was nice been doing this for 2 weeks , today we went for our coffee and was told we could not sit outside with our children can u tell me why ,
dear mr martin, i am a frequent customer of the new wetherspoons pub THE ROMANY RYE IN DEREHAM NORFOLK, i would like to say how much i enjoy using it.the staff are pleasant a d the food is good.one complaint only.sunday lunch everything good except the vegetables i noticed that on every persons plate that had been served sunday lunch they had been left.if you could do something about this i am sure your sales will soar apart from this little hiccup everything else is brilliant keep up the good work shirley prince
Me, my wife and close friends deb and mags have used the summoner for a number of years and when we use this pub we nearly always have a meal spending at least £50 each but lately since the manageress whoose name was Amy left the pub has declined rapidly, the staff are surly, ignorant and somewhat incompetent and we feel that it only a short matter of time. Before we take our custom elsewhere which is a shame as we really do like to frequent the summoner but your staff seem to forget that we do have other options and that weterspoons isn’t the only pub in town
Had a super steak at Wetherspoons in Southport on Tues afternoon. Love to know how they get them so tasty – is it a certain type of oil, or do they brush them with some sort of seasoning? I can never get my steak to taste so nice.
They use a special mix of herbs and spices and apply to the steaks before grilling.
I recently visited your wetherspoons branch in Watford high street and was pleasantly surprised. I recieved a sublime mixed grill and a fresh, fizzy and cool pint of Fosters.
Please keep up the good work and continue to be Watford’s number one venue.
martin King (Watford)
Hi Martin,
Which Wetherspoons because there are Two.
Beers & Cheers Graham
geegeestables@hotmail.com
just trying to understand why ther is sutch a big diffrence in price , two spoons not three miles from each other 3£ on a bottle of wine, 35 p on a pint,the pups , the brass ballance birkenhead and the clairville in liscard.just dont seem right to me bill
after going to the gooseberry bush on peel street in nottingham this evening i was discused with the level of service recieved.
i went in for food with three other people, one of which is an employee of this wetherspoon pub.
i feel that because she is a member of staff the party were not treated like regular customers.
after ordering a sirloin steak with no indication of seasoning on any menu’s, and stated at the till to a member of staff the name of who it is for, knowing that all staff there are aware that the person is allergic to spices and seasoning, the ktchen send out a seasoned seak.
this steak was then sent back due to it being seasoned. the chef on duty clearly stated that if a new steak is to be made by the kitchen it needs to be paid for again. upon the return of a new sirlion steak, which was on the same plate with reheated sides of chips and veg, i felt that no care was taken into consideration for my loved ones welfare.
at this point a refund was asked for as i felt discusted by this treatment to a loved one. i was then told by the shift manager (ashley) that a refund could not be given as staff discount of 20% was used and i would need to come in on the following day to see the maneger.
i think this is an out rage with poor customer srvice and low standards of customer care. not only did this happen but the meals were not cooked to the required taste as a well done steak came out medium to rear, no check backs were performed either.
i am not one to complain but when i go for dinner with friends and family i do not expect one of them to go through the treatment that in which was recieved tonight, even if it was a member of staff from the gooseberry bush i went out with.
on this occation she was NOT at work she WAS a customer.
i hope that no other customers will be treated this way in the future and that respect to all members of staff who are not on duty can be looked into.
i feel so disgusted with the reports about weatherspoons,why dont you deal with these problems that are getting reported,why
are your staff not getting training especialy not to be ignorant.i visited the glenrothes branch today with two friends and we must have spent about £50 pounds and when my friend by accident spillt her drink two members of staff stood laughing time 19 00. and offered no asstance also i am so fed up with the dirty tables you come into when you come in for a special night out this has never changed in years..
I agree, NO customer service AT ALL. I always get dirty cutlery and glasses, you now have to PAY for
a garnish too! BEYOND BELIEF! And I still don’t get how the everyday locals can afford
to drink in there for hours each day. They must be millionaires.
My lady and I had a nasty experience at the Moon on the Square in Feltham today Its a scruffy pub in a rough part of West London – it was full of old guys and a few women to match. Anyway we wanted breakfast and it was that or Asda. We found a sticky table near the window. ALL the tables are sticky at this place. They never clean them or collect the used glasses. My lady sat down and we looked at the menu. I took her order and went to the bar – were I waited and waited and waited – whilst all the obvious regulars were served first. Eventually the barman – an Aussie in his 30s with a face sparkling with shiny metal piercings (says it all really) – said what table was I at? I said i didn’t know, but it was the one over there (pointing to the table where my lady was sitting). He said he needed the table number. I said didn’t he know it? He said he wasn’t going to take my order unless I went back to the table and told him what the number was. I asked him why he didn’t know it. [In similar establishments even Wetherspoon pubs we have always received help from staff who actually know the layout of their table numbers]. However this ar$ehole was quite adamant that I was going to have to go back to the table to get the number. He said go back and get the bl**dy table number or you wont get served. Meanwhile he started serving the regulars again. Now no-one talks to me like that so I said i want to see the manager. He said he was the manager. I said that with an attitude like that and using such bad language to customers – in front of elderly ladies too – that I was surprised he was a manager. He then told me to get out – I was not getting served. He was the most unpleasant and aggressive ‘manager’ I have had to deal with for years. Actually he was a nasty piece of work. Not fit to be employed. The facial piercings were an obvious warning sign. But I’ve also had that attitude from Aussies towards Brits when I’ve been in Sydney etc. So he was obviously reverting to type.
MYSELF AND FRIENDS ARE REGULARS AT THE STAR IN GOSPORT PART OF THE WETHERSPOONS CHAIN. WHERE WE DRINK RUDDLES BEER AND ENJOY GOOD COMPANY THE ONLY PROBLEM IS EVERY WEEKEND THEY RUN OUT OF THIS BEER, SURELY IT CANT BE THAT DIFFICULT FOR THE MANAGER TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CUSTOMER ENJOYS THE BEER AND THE PRICE AND TO ORDER MORE BARRELS SO THEY DONT RUN OUT. I HOPE THAT MR TIM MARTIN SEES THIS COMMENT AS THIS MIGHT HELP THEIR ANNUAL PROFITS AMID THE ECONOMIC GLOOM.
KIND REGARDS
A QUALIFIED RUDDLES DRINKER
When Wetherspoon first opened I seem to remember that the prices were very similar in most of their pubs. This is no longer the case, especially with new pubs. For example, a large coffee in the Wyndham Arms, Bridgend was recently 99p, in the Potters Wheel, Swansea £1.39 and the newly opened Red Lion, Morriston, Swansea, £1.99.
First class example of postcode inflation.
I can guarantee if you walk into a Wetherspoons bang smack in the middle of london, and then one in a more disadvantaged area, you will see a distinct difference on all marked prices.
i am very angary with your new policy.no children unles we eat.i have been going to your pubs for years.i poped in with my 13month olg granchild to be told i cannot have a coffee unless i bye food for my granchild as any one with a brain nows a babby does not eat pub food yet.and is being feed through a nose drip.i was very upset me and my family and frends are supporting me and also angary.this was in your romford branch.we will no longer be using a weatherspoon again.
Hi,
I think your pub in Otley is a joke. The staff that are in charge do not have a clue on either running a business or people skills.
If you go to the manager to complain about someone she will then go and tell that person who has complained and what it is about so she needs training in confidentiality and the person that is in charge of the kitchen will not do a shift on her own but expects other people to do it surely you should not tell someone to do something you would not do yourself. Also they think they can just ring someone up one hour before their shift and tell them that instead of finishing at nine they have to work till finish even when they have other things planned for when they finish surely there should be a policy about how much time you have to give someone before telling them that their shift has been changed. I am disgusted at the way witherspoons treat their staff.
I bin going to my weathers spoons nearly everyday for the past to years to get a catch with the moms from the school and things have bin fine but then 2day i went got myself a breakfast asked for hard eggs anyway my food had arrived and i have no hard eggs so i throught lets just leave it as that untill i started eating my eggs there was shell left with it so i asked to speak to the manger and asked for my money back i didnt get chance to say please because she walked off i went back to my table for her to come back to me throw the money on the table and have a right go at me and barred me im very upset about this and dont see why iv bin barred i will make a full complate about this lady because this wasnt fair at all
i have been told that its against the law to use soemones elses bank account to get paid. they say i’m not able to have any more shifts until i get my own bank account. the manager i spoke to says it will take upto 2 weeks until i have 1 opened and i know i will get all the banks details the day i open it. i’m really narked about the situation am in.
i have just started wporking for a wetherspoons inr rugby,, i can assure you,not all whetherspoons are the same as those i have read about, before i worked there i used it on a regular basis, the staff and management have always been friendly even when dealing with complaints, i hope all problems get resolved with your local wetherspoons some reviews are appaling
We went to the local wetherspoons in billericay “the blue boar” expecting to get food at around 9 o’clock. We went there and they werent serving food! but on the menu it clearly said curry night until 10pm! Also on the same night we were expecting a 10 minute last orders bell… but instead we got a 11pm no more drink bell delivered by some smug, aggressive and condesending staff saying its always been like that… ITS NOT CALLED A LAST ORDERS BELL FOR NO REASON!!! BECAUSE IT MEANS YOU MAKE YOUR LAST ORDERS IN THAT TIME!!!! wetherspoons have lost there way at being a proper pub.
RE: Wetherspoons debate.
I’ve just got in at 3.02am from working in a Wetherspoons and just like my name I’d rather not disclose which one (the Spoons legal team are stupidly hot when it comes to sniffing out and reprimanding those found to be ‘slatting’ the company.)
I just wanted to say, it isn’t like that in all of the pubs. I started working for Wetherspoons some time ago as a means to pay my way through my degree. I worked in a pub in Newcastle called ‘The Mile Castle’ and honestly it is a nice pub – it’s a three bar operation; serving different guest ales on each floor and should any of the taps blow, or drinks run out the staff, myself included, will happily go down to another floor and bring your drink to your table. The cutlery is always clean, and for Wetherspoons even i admit thats pretty impressive (it shouldnt be, i appreciate that.. but it is) and you are always given the appropriate cutlery regardless of day.
However, I’ve recently moved to another pub in a different region and I see exactly where this thread is coming from – the staff are rude, they don’t pay attention to the bar order, they have about one whiskey glass in the building and copious brandy glasses which the staff seem to think is what they should serve whiskey in, they use plastic glasses after certain times and all weekend – glasses which invariably you find cracks in letting the drink drip slowly out of.
But I’d like to point out I work there, but as a member of staff there is very little you can do about the conditions you work in. You can’t complain about the glasses, because they won’t do anything and you compromise yourself and your working environment by doing so. Nepotism is rife.
And with regards to the food, I appreciate if you go for a meal you want it to be nice – but what are your expectations when you go into a Wetherspoons? You must realise most of the food is frozen and microwaved? Surely as a consumer you realise you get what you pay for?
And yeah, maybe towards the end of the night in SOME pubs staff get a bit cranky but take that up with Head Office because i don’t know how any of you feel but when a pub closes at midnight and the clean up effort takes until 3am but you as an individual only get paid until 1am the sooner people leave and you can crack on the better because working for free isn’t fun.
The question I’m waiting for in response is ‘Why work there if thats your opinion?’
In answer, because as a student I get to go home for summer and work in my old pub; and as i said – The Mile Castle really is a great pub with great staff and great regulars.
I think that is a very balanced view. I don’t work for JDW but my wife has worked there for years now ( around 10 at a guess). She started as bar staff and went up from there. Originally she was very happy. I’m not going to go into details of some of the things that have happened to her while working there courtesy of the upper management & accounts ( the accounts staff are clearly not qualified as they can’t even do simple math to work out wages) but what i can say is that she is hard working, ALWAYS on time,loyal and conscious. She comes home disillusioned these days, in truth JDW is just a means to an end for her now. She told me a few months back that they now have to use a fingerprint swipe system to sign in and out of their shifts in the pubs but they are being forced to swipe out on time to please head office but stay on for up to an hour to clean. This means offically they are not in the building but of course are still working. I wonder if those people get paid for those extra hours or even worse if there is a breach of fire safety as they are offically no longer in the building ?……… just a thought. JDW go through staff like you wouldn’t believe. You would think they would twig by now that something is wrong but maybe its more of a ‘theres another sucker around the corner who will do the job for minimum wage so who cares’ attitude. When people shout at the staff (there is of course no excuse for rude staff but i’m sure they take more abuse from customers than the other way around) they should probably think to themself would they work there for poor money and poor hours like the JDW staff there do?. Maybe thats why the staff member is having a bad day.
Also, S Byer I don’t think it was the piercings that made him act that way – or his nationality.
Dear Madam or Sir,,
I found myself being refused another Drink because I rested my EYES which at the age of 70 Plus I find it relaxing ay my age.
So I now do not go there but have chosen another Wetherpoons where I get better treated.
Graham Goodall
geegeestables@hotmail.com
Dear Madam or Sir,
I forgot to mention on the day in question apart being BANNED that day I rested my EYES I noticed that Disabled Toilets had not been checked for about 10 days because there was not a hourly check for them to sign.
But the other Toilet had been signed on the hour.
As I said I am around 70 years Old on another aoccation the would not because my balance is not to good when I have sat down for some time.
Graham Goodall
PLEASE CANCEL PREVIOUS EMAIL COMPLAINT
Dear Madam or Sir,
I forgot to mention on the day in question apart being BANNED that day I rested my EYES I noticed that Disabled Toilets had not been checked for about 10 days because there was not a hourly check for them to sign.
But the other Toilet had been signed on the hour.
As I said I am around 70 years Old on another aoccation the would not serve me because my balance is not to good when I have sat down for some time.
Graham Goodall
Thank you for opening the Malcolm Uphill in caerphilly south wales visited there with my wife cannot understand your priceing policy for drinks & meals in town centre pub, work in cardiff & drink in the central bar & princes of wales & drink & eat cheaper in a city centre pub than a town pub please explain why if you can ?
I am a responsible 57 year old yet if I wish to use “Spoons” in Cwmbran on weekends I am given plastic containers for my drinks. Or I would if still went there weekends which I now don’t!
its generally company policy to serve drinks after 10pm at the weekend in plastic containers, however if the customer seems responsible enough they can be served in glasses. if you dont like using the plastics you can always ask for a glass it is very rare they will refuse
Hi All Wetherspoonies Out There
Hi all of you out there many people enjoyed the October Beer Festival, But I am at a loss to the difference in the Price of a Pint.
£1.75 at my local but the dearest Pint £2.25 a Fifty Pence difference.
Why is Cheaper in the town centre sometimesthan out side it (Come On Wetherspoons )
Hi All Wetherspoonis,
Good News I found a Wetherspoons where a Pint was only £1.70 for the Russian Cosack 6%.
Great I say.
Beers & Cheers
geegeestables@hotmail.com
We have used Wetherspoons for a number of years, and as we travel a lot all over the country, we always looked for a Wetherspoons. We are finding that the standard seems to be dropping in quite a few pubs in our opinion. Tables not cleaned properly always seem to be sticky, food on floor and not cleared up etc. Also we find prices are creeping up and up. Specifically in Swansea where one can find better value at other pubs. We have always, up until now,found that no one seemed to beat Wetherspoons in value and helpful staff. Recently in The Potters Wheel in Swansea, we took friends for the Steak night, (which may I add is still great value) but on requesting a ribeye steak was told that they didn’t have any, so re-ordered a rump to be cooked rare, after two attempts by the chef to cook it rare,and again sending it back, we were told Health and safety will not allow steaks to be cooked rare!!
The manager was on his break,! no apology, only a refund for the one meal, so it completely ruined our evening.
Such a shame as we used to use Wetherspoons so much and enjoyed our times there.
been going weatherspoons for bout 3 nearly 4 years up merry hill abraham derby and edel crehan is a heartless bitch, i was down there with my mate and she started having ago at me because my mate went in when he was bared and she was sayin it was my fault when we are 22 and my mate is a grown bloke and its up to him what he does, but on the day i was told that my dad had 6-18 months left to live, so when edel started having ago at me i stated having ago back cuz i was upset, go in tonight and she starts sayin im bared n if i dont leave she would ring the police, i didnt get agressive or anythin, i just simply asked her why i was bared, and suprise suprise she could not answer me, she said i was using threataning behavour which i was not, and im sure anybody else that had had the news i had on that day would of reacted the same, she has no compassion, and for a 35 year old manager at a pub she really needs to grow up, alot people i know have stopped going there because of her and she does not deserve to be a manager because she has no respect for any 1, in fact when i lost my temper and told her what iwas going through she just sat in her seat wit a grin on her face which i find discusting, ok maybe i shud not of kicked off, but i did not use threatening behaviour i was just upset and told her the news that i had that day, i raised my voice abit, but theres always a cause for a reason, i wouldnt just start going off on 1 for no reason, but she simply is a horrible cow
been weatherspoons in merryhill tonight and the management was crap, the blonde women who i believe to be the manager is absolutly horrid, i am in a wheel chair and she refused me entry from the pub, she said that i was not welcome and they did not have accessibility for my kind. i felt so degraded and embarased i could not believe it, something needs to be done
Hi Matt,
I agree with you some years ago Wetherspoons was very good.
as some one in your position I feel that if you read my letter about their disabled Toilets that people can walk in on you or you can walk in on a disabled person.
Also they are supposed to check the disabled Toilets every hour,I have found some that have not been checked for ten days and there is no sheet for the staff to sign.
If you complain you sometimes get banned.
Not very friendly?
Graham Goodall
geegeestables@hotmail.com
Sorry Ben Not Matt
I wrote the following email of complaint to J D Wetherspoon’s email address “customerservices@jdwetherspoon.co.uk” Unfortunately I only received an auto response nothing else. I also placed a review of their British Beef and Abbot Ale Pie, Gourmet Beef Burger and Lamb Chettinaduon on their menu website page without ant of them being printed is this not false representation if they are only going to post the complementary reviews. I was wondering why there were so few reviews for food that has been on their menus for years now I realise why.
To whom it may concern
I am at present visiting my son in London and being very fond of beer my son and I spend a significant amount of time visiting various pubs around the UK. The last time I was in the UK was 2008 and before that 2005 and during these visits I became very fond of J D Wetherspoon pubs particularly the The Wibbas Down Inn in Wimbledon for the beer and the food.
The food has always been very good with the British Beef and Abbot Ale Pie and the Curry Club being my favourites.
On Tuesday evenings I meet my son at the The Wibbas Down Inn in Wimbledon after his evening weekly game of footy to have a few beers and a meal.
However (you knew there was going to be one) Tuesday two weeks ago my first time back at The Wibbas Down Inn after three years my son and I ordered the British Beef and Abbot Ale Pie as it was not Curry Club evening. This was a big mistake the pie crust was extremely hard and very dark brown very overdone and not very fresh. There was next to no filling, most of it being gravy with very little meat. If you looked at the pie end on it was two thirds air and one third filling.
My son’s was the same. We both swore we would not have it again.
Last Tuesday, once more off to The Wibbas Down Inn after footy and this time decided to avoid the pie and go for the Gourmet Beef Burger….another big mistake.
My son’s bun was as hard as a rock like a bun that had been left in the microwave for 10 minutes. He took one bite and took the burger back to the bar. Imagine our surprise when the waitress comes over a few minutes later wanting to know if she could just replace the bun. Very professional.
I took a bite out of my burger and realised that the beef patty was so overdone that it was thin, hard, grey on the inside and burnt black on the outside. I did not want to complain as my son was paying and did not want to seem ungrateful. When his replacement burger arrived he took a few bites and then showed me how overdone his patty was, just like mine. It was only now that I showed him mine and he said should we send them back. I said I could not be bothered and we would not come back again.
Unfortunate tonight Thursday 03.11.2011 my son and his wife have found themselves in a position where numerous friends from South Africa want to see me once more and they want to go to The Wibbas Down Inn for a few beers and a meal. Fortunately (or unfortunately) it is a Curry Club evening and my son and I will be trying a curry, but I am not holding my breath.
As life would have it, it is obvious that the subject of J D Wetherspoon’s food quality will be brought up.
It is sad that one of my son’s and my favourite pub has really gone to the dogs; fortunately there are a lot of pubs in London.
After being employed by JDW and also being a customer, I am disgusted at how the manager treats her staff and customers.. Anyone in Warrington, do not go to The Looking Glass. The Manager Caroline Peet has got to be the most depressing person iv known, she couldnt organise a booze up in a brewery.
I had over 20 customers complain to me in the 6 weeks i was there, that the customer service is appauling, even the staff look depressed because the atmosphere is so bad.
Tim Martin is all about a happy working place, it doesnt apply at The Looking Glass
Im relieved I left there, would sooner be on benefits than work for Caroline Peet
I myself have worked at the looking glass and find the above coments to be totally incorrect, it is a great place to work the satff are all very happy and positive, I have worked at different wetherspoon pubs due to being a student and i would go as far as to say that Caroline PEET IS PROBABLY ONE OFTHE MOST APROACHABLE MANAGERS AND I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK FOR HER.
I worked with Caroline and I know that she is the total opposite of what is said in this rant. I am a regular customer at The Looking Glass and I know that the management and staff are commited to possitive customer service.
I was under the impression that you were sacked, not “left there” as you put it. I think you belong on benefits because you obviously don’t read what you are writing before you publish it. I would beware of what I wrote if I was you. Once it is published, you can’t take it back and you have now slandered her character.
Tim Martin is all about a happy work place and as I see it, The Looking Glass is a very happy place. If you saw otherwise then I think you should have told him, not the whole of Facebook.
I myself have worked in the looking glass and alongside caroline and her staff and i loved every second, whats written above just seems to be a vent of anger aimed in the wrong direction. Through word of mouth i know exactly what has gone on with yourself Tim, and no before you jump the barrel its not from Caroline or the management team at TLG. Everyone ive known has love working there and the pub has quite a lot of original staff, i think this says something. If someone doesn’t like working somewhere and the management are as bad as you’ve made them out to be people don’t stay, simple as. I hope you know everything you write down will be taken into account by JD wetherspoon and in my eyes everything you’ve written has moved you into a tricky situation. To come onto a website and slander someone just because of bad experience is utterly pathetic. Wetherspoons may not live upto everyones expectations, certain pubs more than most, but working alongside the people there at TLG has been my pleasure, and im sure it will for all those who will join the team in the future.
Me no like the pubs
I went into my local Wetherspoons in Penge, the Moon and Stars, where the manager Gerry asked me if I could afford to pay for my pint before he poured it. I have have never been insulted so much in all my life. I have never entered a pub without the entrance fee. Which charm school do they employ their staff from?
Visited my local branch of Weatherspoons again yesterday (in Andover) (Sunday 13th Nov). Had reserved a table (specifically as my mother is 91 and prefers to sit in a specific part of the restaurant). This is the second time of having reserved a table only to get there and be told that they don’t know anything about it !!!!! They tried to pin the blame on the lad who took the details on Saturday but he had written down my contact phone number and my name but still they tried to “pass the buck” and pin the blame on this lad (Mark) who I think had done his bit properly. After having complained I went to the bar to order our meals and was served by a young man with no manners – he obviously knew that I had complained and made sure he was not going to utter a word to me. This is twice this has happened and twice I have found the staff to have “passed the buck”. I AM NOT HAPPY! When they first opened this branch they were supposed to be this and that but my God – how wrong. When the meals did arrive the plates were cold and my mother said her food was cold but having already complained that the table we had reserved HAD NOT BEEN RESERVED, we did not like to complain any more. What is happening to Weatherspoons? Or is it only Sundays and they are all in a Sunday mood ??????
I would appreciate a reply to my comment.
I received a reply letter (in the post) from Scott Davis of J D Wetherspoon (position held unknown). For all I know Mr Davis could hold a solely lip service position at J D Wetherspoon.
After visiting The Wibbas Down Inn Wetherspoon in Wimbledon three times and spending money on six very bad meals and several drinks (see Gary post above), I get a this letter from Mr. Davis saying sorry. I was wondering what Mr Davis is sorry for, is it for taking my money and me only receiving bad food in return?
Receiving a sorry does not make me feel any better about J D Wetherspoon having my money for providing extremely poor service. I would have thought that anyone with a slight knowledge of customer satisfaction would realise that my son and I have received no satisfaction from this apology whatsoever.
Mr Davis your letter has only reinforced my feelings and standpoint towards J D Wetherspoon I have not gone back to Wetherspoon’s since my complaint and after Mr Davis’s insulting letter I do not intend to.
My Name is Anthony Walker
I work at The Art Picture House in Bury, This is around the Corner from the Robert Peel
Every Customer that comes in Mentions how bad the service is at Robert Peel
We are the busiest pub in Bury Night and Day.
To the Ex customer who created this Original Complaint
Go into the Art Picture House we have over 10 Guest Ale Pumps with Local Guest Ales e.g. Blond Witch
Also we have the regulars such as Ruddles and Abbot
So instead of going to a more expensive pub, try the Art Picture House which has one of the highest Customer Service reports in the chain of Wetherspoon Pubs and is in Bury Town Centre.
I have been in may wetherspoon to find such poor customer service. It’s not about the price of the beer/larger ect:. I myself would rather pay 5 pound a pint in a pub with good customer service rather than pay 2 pound a pint and be spoken to in such a deluded mannor.
Same as in my local a Chicken tikka is 6:69, and I have even recieved such poor service one afternoon I went to Iceland and paid 2 pounds for a chicken tikka and a box of rice.
Hi Matt,
I agree with about the Chicken Tika, Iceland meals are very good value.
If you look at aJacket Potato & Baked Beans for £4.69 you could make it for about £0.04 at home and the people who sold you the ingrediants have made a profit on what they sold you?
Come On Wtherspoons Get Your Finger Out?
geegeestables@hotmail.com
Me and i and some others regulars got PISSED OFF on Monday night (12 Dec) as i got into the Royal Enfield in Redditch was told that the pub was closed from 6pm for a private do. how can your pubs closes it’s doors to the public with out letting us know the Manager should be sacked for this as us regulars had to go to another pub and we drink in this pub ever day NOT NO MORE ……
Dear Tim or Complaints Staff
I have no complaints whatsoever against bar staff . but yes. I do have a complaint on contract to staff this should never be allowed and I’am disgusted . should two or three female work behind the bar with no males staff working at the bar. that one of the these females having to do checks on toilets that females staff can go to male toilets . I myself disagree with your contract and also with embarrassment to the person at the urinal stone or in the cubicle. and surely the person thats doing the visit to the toilets and having to sign in to say the they have been there and done the visit must also feel embarrassed. I am now putting a complaint in to my MP and also to the correct health authorities to have this re-correct
I am writing to you about a matter concerning myself what got me barred from the society rooms public house and I did not think it was sorted out in the right way so would you be able to sort it out for me to try and solve the problem going forward to give me a proper response to this problem this time instead of a wrong response this time for my own peace of mind and also sp that I can get it off my chest and get the weight off my shoulders aswell. I hope the problem this time instead of not being resolved this time so I can go back in there as a regular customer again without anything holding me back or without any snags or ties and without any slipups. I apologise for my actions that occured at the time of the incident and this will never happen again,
The John Feilding Cwmbran, has very rude staff, I went to the toilets and was sat in the cubicle going about my own business when someone knocked the door ” what are you doing? ” a voice asked, ” urrr having a dump” I replied. I thought this was probably some weird drunk. One opening the toilet door after some time, there was two bar staff stood there, who’d been there for some time now, at my disgust. They accused me of doing drugs, to which I told them to call the police to search me, as I do not use drugs. They refused and ushered me out of the pub. I made a complaint only to be told that they agree with their staff for treating me in such a way. I will never go to such a pub again. Their staff are so rude, they do serve friends first, have no respect for anyone. TOILET PERVERTS! listening to me go to toilet.
My only complaint is the air conditioning in most of your pubs. it is always far too fierce even in the coldest weather.We went to the Society Rooms in Maidstone today and instead of heat we had a continuous cold draught. we have experienced this at a lot of your pubs. Can you tell me why this is.
the only complaint I have with Weatherspoons pubs is their air conditioning . why is it always so fierce. We went to The Society Rooms in Maidstone today and it was so cold as the air conditioning was blowing out VERY cold air, We have experienced this in many of your pubs. Is there no way you can put this right.
m kerridge ( mrs)