Preston Park Tavern — Restaurant in England

This pub is our local as we live only a few doors down, however over the last six months or so the customer service has been deteriorating. We never see the same people in the pub on each visit and no one from the local area appears to go here. The draw for the new clientele is probably the food which generally is always very good however the prices have increased to such a level that it can be cheaper to go to a high end restaurant. However our recent visit which was late afternoon on a bank holiday has just confirmed the poor customer service. We took a spare table for two in between two groups of four, there was no reservation sign on any of these tables and we subsequently ordered drinks and food which we put on a tab, after having paid a one pence deposit (this is new and is apparently to confirm that the card can be used for payment when it is time to settle up). We were having a good time, the food had just arrived, the fish and chips here are very good despite the price tag, when a member of staff came over and informed us that we had a half hour warning of being moved table and that there were plenty of other tables so no rush. There was no “sorry to disturb you whilst you are eating”, or “sorry we knew you were sitting here when you ordered your food”. When we enquired why, we were informed that there should have been a reserved sign on the table and that as they were busy this must have been missed. After explaining that there had been no reservation sign on the table, I asked why they couldn’t move the people who had reserved if there were plenty of tables. I was advised that this was a group booking for eight people and that all tables in the area we were sitting at were required. Now, we had seen a member of staff put a reservation sign on the vacated table for four beside us ten minutes prior to this and there had been no mention that our table would be required. The table of four to the other side of us had been vacated and subsequently occupied again and the customers were just about to order food. Two minutes after our questioning the reservation, these other customers were also asked to move. This did not completely spoil what up until then had been a good experience, but it was a complete dampener on the afternoon. When I raised the issue with the staff whilst getting the bill, they pointed us at the manager who at least apologised about the confusion, but stated they had been very busy and that there was nothing more they could do. Then to add insult to injury when they gave us the bill they weren’t going to deduct the deposit for setting up the tab. To me this is just poor customer service and I am not surprised that we never see repeat customers. Maybe the management will take these comments onboard and review the treatment of customers already at their establishment, rather than just turning over the tables like a fast food establishment.

Needless to say we also will not be frequenting this establishment which is a shame considering its proximity, but thankfully the Parkview and Cleveland have both undergone refurbishments recently, and offer the same standard of food at considerably lower prices and all with better...

This has always been a destination for us. Cost is high but food had always been exceptional (in the past best pub fish and chips I've had), huge range of beers and friendly staff. Today was a bit of a disappointment. One veggie option on the menu, vegan was a push. Considering this is a pricey pub in Fiveways I'd expect a bit more of an expansive menu. The veggie of our group had green veg and chips. The rest of us had fish and burgers. Whilst they were cooked well the plate was really disappointing in its finish and looked a bit sad for something priced at £17.50. As a gastropub (self titled in its Google profile) it all felt a bit meh, especially as the Heinz ketchup bottles were clearly full of "red" sauce, the hallmark of a place trying to save some pennies. The final straw was being told that the pub didn't serve hot drinks. Yes, back in the day you wouldn't expect it in a pub but now, in Fiveways if not Brighton I'd expect cold brew, let alone an oat latte. Hopefully we caught the place on an off day as I've always held the PPT in high regard and feel like they've really dropped in my...

Well worth a visit, the food could not be faulted it really excellent, the prices were very fair considering the quality, a very nice ambience and trendy feeling exists with friendly and efficient staff. My only negative point is being asked to hand over a credit/debit card to be held behind the bar until the end of the meal. This is a practice not recommended by card issuers because of possible fraud or clonning. This is something that happened to me 20 years ago when I relinquished my brand new card to a waiter in an Egyptian restaurant in London, it was the only time I'd let the card out of my control and within a week it had been used in Spain to buy £1100 worth of jewellery. I believe it would be safer for customers and the business not to continue with this practice. It is a great responsibility for the company to hold any if not many cards and if a fraud were to take place there would be a great deal of difficulty for the business and the customer in trying to prove who was...