Copt Oak — Restaurant in Hinckley and Bosworth

This is the 2nd time I have taken my friends for dinner at the Copt Oak. I have to say that I have no complaints regarding the food. The staff were polite and attentive when serving, the food is hot and tasty, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is good. On both occasions we have been for our meal at the start of the week or in the middle of the week. Its such a shame as everything was good on both occasions, but, on both occasions we felt rushed to leave the venue prior to closing time, which I believe is 10pm. Last time we were locked in and all of the lights were turned off whilst we were all in the toilets and it was pitch black. Once they realised the error, the door was opened and we were let out onto a pitch black car park (you can't believe how dark it is without lights on). We are all ladies approaching retirement so were worried about having a fall. We thought this was just one of those things and had a little laugh about it. This was about an hour before closing time. This evening we visited again. After an enjoyable meal, we were asked if we wanted coffees but as we still had cold drinks we were happy just to drink those. Suddenly all of the light were turned on and they were very bright, a few members of staff were looking at us and one of my friends said, I think they want us to leave. We went to the loo and joked about getting locked in the dark. One of my friends went for a cigarette whilst 3 of us went to the toilet and we came out and stood with her outside and waited for her to finish. A member of staff came out to us and told us to go and stand by our cars as they were leaving and were turning off all of the lights. The lights were turned off and we were left on a pitch black car park again. It was 9.10 pm. I get it that they wanted to go home, but we were only going to be 5 mins more and as the pub wasn't supposed to close until 10pm we were a little bit disappointed to say the least. It spoilt the evening as we felt rushed at the end of the night, and we felt that we had outstayed...

We'd booked in for Christmas day and had high hopes after a mixed experience at Harvester in previous years. We'd also visited The Copt Oak several times before and enjoyed a good meal. Unfortunately the service was very bad, we were so disappointed with what should have been a relaxing and stress free Christmas day meal out.

It was obvious on arrival that the sittings were running behind very late. We'd booked for a 2:30 seating and we didn't get seated until 3:15. We had to wait in a busy bar area, my mum struggles with her mobility and my dad isn't great on his feet either. Both are over 80. They were getting increasingly tired and frustrated. We noticed several other elderly parents arriving who were kept waiting for a similar amount of time.

Once we got seated, it was another 30 minute wait until starters. Over 1 hour and 15 minutes from original seating time until actually eating anything.

We could see that the staff were working hard and they were friendly, it wasn't any one specific persons fault but whatever the system that they had set up - it clearly didn't work.

What should be a day to celebrate and enjoy with the family was one that was a huge let down. I'd really like to understand why the seatings were so delayed as there was no explanation given on the day. Being 'busy' isn't an answer, surely you should either stagger the bookings with more time between, limit the amount of people who can book or contact people in advance if there's expecting to be a delay.

Please don't set yourselves up to fail next Christmas. I'm sure the staff don't want to experience feeling like their negatively affecting people's Christmas day again. They are a really nice team but something in the planning or process...

Over the year, I've visited Thge Copt Oak many times it's always been a popular place until recently, I cannot understand what has changed apart from a few main things in my own mind. There were four of us had meals a week or so ago, not really long after a larger group I was with visited and the feeling of change was the same. Everyone knows food and eating out has risen dramatically, but when both food quality and price rise occur together, then it is time consider change, (I'm sounding like our present government wanting change). This has certainly happened at the Copt Oak. My meal had been brought alongside the other three of our group, I was left looking at the actual size, issue yo me was that I had opted for a higher priced meal. A waitress was in the vicinity of our table and I caught her eye, I asked the question, is there any more to come with my meal it's rather sparce, the answer was no I don't think so and she was off in a flash. I have always valued the Copt Oak as valued meals. Unfortunately, the meal itself I didn't rate and I was left thinking about a pudding, I actually denied myself with the thought that I was not giving this place anymore of my custom, especially having knowledge of the price. Another visit in December also with just four people I ordered a Sirloin Steak, medium rare, it arrived well done, no pink in sight. Waitress came over I asked opinion and she said definitely well done. The penny dropped she remembered my choice and replaced the meal. My other grievance was this last time the online menu I'm told had been updated and my first choice had finished yesterday. So all in all I can no longer recommend the Copt Oat, not a favourite on my...