The Bridge, Shoreham — Restaurant in Adur

We walked into the Bridge - with some friends, and as we have done for the last 20 years living in Shoreham, we walked through the pub and went to see if there were any tables free in the back garden.

Before we got to the door. We heard someone in a raised voice say "excuse me...what are you doing? Can I help you?"

We explained that we were going to see if there was a free table outside.

The guy explained it was customary to greet staff in a pub before you go outside.

I'm 53, It's not my first time in a pub. I didn't realise this was a formal requirement.

All 6 of us were genuinely taken aback by the guys abruptness. So I can tell you that I'm not over reacting here.

He said there was a sign at the bar telling people this.

We asked where the sign was. It was a small A4 chalkboard sitting on top of the bar. We did not see it as there were people standing in front of it. Maybe have a second sign on the bar telling people not to stand in front of the other sign that's on the bar, oh hang on....

So I would just like to apologise to the guy (new owner?) for not reading the sign. We all genuinely missed it.

I'm sorry that we walked into the pub without formally greeting the staff and I'm sorry that we went to walk out into the back garden.

As we were made to feel so unwelcome we left, He gave us a very sarcastic goodbye. It was genuinely one of the most bizarre interactions I've had in terms of customer service.

We are now taking a good hard look at our behaviour and reflecting on what we did.

We're doing this at the pub next door, the Crown and Anchor. Oddly enough, the six of us just walked into the garden sat down and are now enjoying some beers and food.

We didn't see any sign but we might have missed it.

You might want to pop next door and tell them about the new rules. They don't seem to know about them.

It's such a shame because it used to be a really...

The Bridge Shoreham On the 27th May in the early evening myself, husband, mum and my two daughters came to your establishment to enjoy some food and drinks in the sunshine. We ordered food and wine and soft drinks. My eldest daughter is 14. She has numerous difficulties including autism and adhd. She had brought with her the rest of her bottle of orange juice which we had previously bought elsewhere. Being autistic she is exceptionally particular about her drinks. As it was a warm day I was pleased she was drinking. Your security guard on shift that evening came over with a blonde young waitress, very abruptly and accused my daughter of ‘bringing in cocktails from home’. We laughed thinking he was obviously joking until he told us we had broken the law and to immediately leave the premises. We showed him the bottle and explained that she is a child with extra needs. He simply continued to tell us to leave very loudly and accusingly. It was awful treatment , embarrassing and upsetting. We are a quiet family that had spent money and were minding our own business. We got up and left straight away. We quietly said to the doorman (please check cctv) at the front door that it would have been more appropriate to have quietly approached one of us adults and asked us to put the drink away, or allowed us to explain her needs. He simply kept repeating to us to leave in a very rude and condescending tone. As we walked away, he then turned to another gentleman standing in the doorway and said loud enough for all of us including our two children to hear ‘bunch of c!*ts!’ And laughed. This is absolutely horrific behaviour. We want an apology and an explanation. If my autistic is not allowed to have her leftover orange juice then surely an infant mustn’t eat baby food brought from home? Or formula milk?! Please offer us an explanation and an apology. Your security guard...

What a disappointing experience made worse by an unprofessional manager, who is clearly not able to speak to customers. We went to celebrate my friend's birthday and ordered steak, which was excellent by the way. Unfortunately the waitress dropped two glasses of RED wine over a yellow dress I was wearing. She gave us towels to dry up. My friends finished their meals as I had to wait for another steak as my food was swimming in red wine. The manager barely acknowledge the incident. No apologies offered immediately after, neither was an offer forthcoming for a free drink or a discount on the bill. Strange and not what you'd expect after I had to spent the evening covered in red wine. We were not best impressed, and thought she was not courteous or experienced in handling situations like that. My friend had to ask that we have a discount on the bill, so I was l clear that my steak should be taken off, at the very least. When the manager came, we were accused of having touched the waitress tray, hence the accident, which was untrue. We agreed it was an accident and it happens, but to then be accuse of causing it... I was speechless. We went outside and a distance from the pub, discussing what a unprofessional manager the lady was, just to be confronted by her, about us insulting her staff. We never exchanged words with her or the waitress, but to be followed outside it was ridiculous and beyond anything we could have expected. She managed to ruin our night with her attitude, when she lacked grace and finesse. Dreadful. This restaurant needs new management. Dress...