Rhode Island Coffee — Restaurant in Chorley

Complaint regarding a person called Moss who I believe is the area manager. Incident from 20th April 2024.

Firstly, I would add that I’ve visited the coffee shop twice a week for the past two years since opening and I and my family enjoy the visits. Really hardworking staff who work together well as a team, who are very friendly and chatty and helpful. They always go above and beyond. They help me take my coffee to tables when I’ve struggled and have supported me and my family through some tough times this past two years.

Me and my mum visited on Saturday early afternoon and sat outside as the weather was nice. I entered the shop and joined a lengthy queue, which is normal, as it’s very popular and the queue soon dissipated quickly due to the diligence of the staff manning the till. I detected a sense that there was an atmosphere. Very unusual I thought. Then I heard Moss speak very abruptly to the member of staff taking orders. It was something along the lines of ‘Move here and do this.’ Uncalled for tones were used in his voice to speak to a more than qualified member of staff.

I said nothing, took my coffees and went outside.

However, an hour later when some friends joined I went inside to order more coffees and joined the queue. The atmosphere had not changed which worried me. The usual cheerful team of staff seemed on edge. The area manager must have noticed that I wasn’t happy as I was looking at all the staff members and he said ‘how are you? You’re looking lovely,’ to which I said thanks, he served my drinks and I left once more to sit outside.

We observed staff clearing tables outside and two staff members spoke to us and were asking my mum how she was and she in turn was asking how the shop was doing etc. The usual banter. Then out of nowhere we heard loud repeated banging to the side window that stopped us all from talking and many others around us saw too. The area manager shouted and beckoned with his hand ‘get in here now.’ The staff went inside.

Of course we were alarmed by this unnecessary and rude behaviour. My mum became upset by it and I entered the shop to find out two staff members had been told off in front of other customers.

This behaviour is nothing but bullying behaviour and needs to be addressed. In front of customers for something that was nothing out of the ordinary behaviour, to be spoken to like that, is hurtful and embarrassing not to mention disgusting behaviour.

I checked that one member of staff was okay as she was visibly shaken and upset and then I left.

I will not be entering the shop again if he is ever there. I will not tolerate any behaviour of that kind in my presence that seems to undermine hard working staff and their abilities to run a business that is...

This is the first review I have ever felt like leaving. I used to visit this store regularly before I moved out of Chorley. Recently I was visiting friends and we called in and it has changed so much.

Everything from the speed of service, staff looking disinterested and not very chatty like they used to be. I know staff in places like this change all the time but standards don’t appear to be anywhere near what they used to be when I visited daily.

Tables left with cups piled up, dirty toilets, milk jugs behind the counter looking really dirty with old milk all down the side.

I understand if places are busy and it’s chaotic, but it wasn’t that busy and to make matters worse my drink was dreadful. One of the worst flat whites in any coffee shop I’ve ever had.

I recommend better training for existing staff. I won’t be visiting again when I’m...

Took mum to Chorley yesterday and walking into the centre I spotted Rhode Island coffee shop and said to mum do you want a brew first, so we walked over to the door and I couldn't believe it a sign saying no dogs allowed, well that's a massive 5* rating for me straight away (I'm allergic to them and also don't like them around food) but on walking in mum said "it smells lovely in here and it was nice and clean, we sat in the far corner with a large selection of books behind us and had hot drinks and pastries and had a look through some books. The staff where lovely and pleasant and the whole ambience of the place made me want to go back, so much so we called back later on when shopping completed and had our dinner. I will definitely be returning the next time...