Gillam's Tearoom Ltd — Restaurant in England

Gillam's - not my cup of tea ...

All the places that I've visited in the Lake District so far, and the people I've encountered, have been friendly and helpful with the exception of the owner at Gillam's Tearoom. Perhaps he was having a bad day, but I noticed he was chatty with people that he clearly knew. However, his chatty demeanor changed when he served us. In this industry you share a welcome smile with every customer no matter who they are and no matter what's going on in your life. It's no excuse for a snarky attitude and lousy service. He was haughty, snubbing, and unhelpful.

Perhaps he became tired of tourists popping in asking for a teacake after the Hairy Bikers put him on the map, but I'm not a tourist. He has clearly forgotten the meaning of service. Perhaps it was because we arrived close to closing time. Regardless of the reason, the attitude should be one of welcome instead of apathy.

The environment you create is a reflection of who you are, and this place was in need of attention and care. There was a used tissue on the floor next to my seat, cob webs in the doorway, and a garden area that was craving a little love and attention.

As for the teacake, which held the promise of spice and a soft pillowy texture with a slight chew, it was marginal at best. Underproved, dry, lacking in spice and dense as a cricket ball. Very disappointing. As a baker, the items you make should be of superior quality and made with a sense of pride hoping the customer will enjoy your mindful preparation. This was anything but mindful. It's a shame because Ulverston is an enchanting town with friendly people and wonderfully quirky shops full of personality and charm. If the latter is the experience you crave, don't bother with Gillam's. It's overrated, underwhelming,...

Gillam's does not deserve your custom. The owner has been extremely rude to me on at least 2 occasions, and I will not be going back. Although the young people working there have always been extremely pleasant, there is one older waitress who appears as glum as the owner, though if he was my boss, I would be equally down in the dumps. He has clearly never heard of the saying the customer is always right, and on one occasion, had an argument with a friend of mine because she wanted unsweetened soya milk in her tea (he could have walked through to his shop to get some, but instead, verbally attacked her in front of a tearoom full of customers).

During the last few years, there have been times when it has been warmer outside than in this tearoom (maybe it was the frostiness of the owner). He was also insisting on people wearing masks even if they were exempt, and when there was no government requirement for them to do so.

Instead of being able to look for a seat without a chaperone, you now have to stand behind a barrier (no doubt to be vetted by the owner) before you are let in and not given a seat of your choice.

Gilliam's website states that the tearooms offer the same quality and service that the Gilliam family is famous for, but in my experience, this could not be further from the truth. If the owner can afford to treat people in such an appalling manner, he is obviously charging any remaining customers he does have way...

I've been living in Sydney Australia for the past 20 years so I know coffee shops and their little idiosyncrasies, but my experience ay 'Gillams' on Sunday was a first for me, hence this 'comment'..my very first ever. The rudeness that I experienced there encouraged me to pen this. I didn't even get to ordering my food or coffee so I'm afraid I cannot comment on that, suffice to say that my experience was so shocking, I left before food was even tempted. It was Sunday, lunch time-ish and the cafe was quite busy...but there was no need for the rudeness of the young chap who wouldn't let me sit in the window (a seat for 2) and as he pointed out more than once in a very loud voice 'I was on my own'. He said there were seats upstairs...having never been in the establishment before, I had no idea there was an upstairs, so I followed him up, he was carrying food up to a customer, I was happy to do this. When we got up there he motioned to a very cramped seat to one side by the banister of the stairs, which I was'y happy about...when he saw that I wasn't happy, he indicated that he was in no mood to appease me and it would be best if I took my custom elsewhere, which I did...to the 'FOURPENCE' cafe, where I had my food and coffee without incident...I didn't get his name, I wish I had...but I will not be going back, which is a shame because it should be one of my local cafe's now that I am back in the area. Is rudeness tolerated in...