Gavel & Bean — Restaurant in England

It really pains me to write this review as I love the Auction house and often pop in for a take away coffee when visiting but what happened this morning has left me feeling embarrassed and very disappointed.

My partner and I have recently moved to the area and have sat inside gavel and bean (rather than taking away) a couple of times. We are both plant based and my partner is gluten free so we understand options are limited but always try to support local and independent businesses. Today we were meeting for a quick business meeting (My partner is a prominent gardening personality so we regularly meet with clients and conduct meetings in coffee shops as like I said, we like to support local businesses) and when we arrived at the cafe this morning, it was nearly empty. We took up a 2 seater table out of the way and I went up to the counter to order, what then ensued was possibly one of the rudest interactions I have experienced in a coffee shop (and believe me I go to a lot of coffee shops). I was made to feel completely unwelcome and ashamed that I was simply ordering a coffee, the fact that we had sat out of the way was mentioned and the server made reference to a banana that I had brought in with me as if I was somehow concealing bringing in my own food and it was insinuated that the reason we had sat out the way was so that we could eat our own food? Very confusing. Of course, if asked politely, I obviously wouldn’t have eaten a banana on the premises but it wasn’t something I’d even considered.

The server continued to roll her eyes and sigh eventually saying ‘well one coffee, and you’re sat at a table….okay’ (please bare in mind that the cafe was nearly empty this entire time) I replied that I needed a moment, I was holding my tongue, as compared to this server it would appear I was raised to respect others and not to say anything I might later regret. I went to the table and told my partner that we needed to leave as I felt embarrassed and refused to spend money in a cafe where I had been made to feel very clearly unwelcome. Such a shame as the younger servers are always so polite, helpful and well mannered.

Safe to say that, unfortunately, I won’t be returning to Gavel and Bean but will still frequent the auction house as I have only ever had wonderful experiences there. Such a shame as this encounter could have gone so differently if the staff member had treated me with an ounce of the respect that...

Have been twice before first time very good unfortunately second time ok and 35 minute wait for hot meal so put it down to chef having off day but been back today after 5 weeks ordered 2 full english only one other person in who had already been served waited again over half-hour so had already drunk out coffees egg burnt on edges yet white snotty hashbrowns disgusting bacon whole meal awful which l left husband ate some but left majority and he is not a fussy eater no toast apparently that's extra told staff who apologised but no offer of a refund really need to get a decent chef and use good quality produce won't be going again stick to to...

Sadly not a visit we want to remember. Yes bank holiday Monday but not all tables were full. Took order. Received drinks quickly. Tick ✔️. Then 3 of our party had their meals brought. Not all correct but we went with it. Then another hour and 15 wait for the rest after chasing. Serving staff surly and rude. We were not the only people waiting or complaining about this. Don’t like to write bad reviews of independent businesses given the current climate but an apology isn’t much to ask for. Full refund asked for. Won’t be visiting again. For those that go I hope they get their service sorted as it has great potential but we were very...