My first experience with The Deli was very disappointing. I am now 68 years of age and was brought up as a child in the area and wanted to share the experience a little, by going down memory lane with my wife, looking forward to re experiencing the memorable tastes of the quality Jewish bakery.
The company I remember as a child now does not exist so, after checking The Deli's website for opening times, we decided to travel 35 miles from our home for that experience. The website, we thought, was up to date as it did say that it would be closed on Sunday the 5th June for the Queen's Jubilee and would be open as usual on Monday 6th.
On Arrival we found the shop closed. We went for a cup of coffee and spoke to a few people who confirmed the shop as having an excellent reputation.
So on the following Tuesday I telephoned The Deli, spoke to a lady who informed me that the manager was too busy and could I telephone back in half an hour. On my request, she took my mobile number promising to have the manager telephone me back as soon as he was free. This did not happen so I decided to try once more and was able to speak to the manager on the Thursday morning.
He did apologise for not updating the website, informing me that most of the local Jewish people would have known that the Monday was Shavuot? That the lady I spoke to was in fact, on her own and was busy? That the manager never received the message?
However, the manager did suggest that in the future, to telephone first to make sure that the items I wanted were in stock and he would look after me.
A very disappointing experience all round with responses that did not tally with both conversations.
We would not normally return to a business that treats us with such disrespect.
We do hope that those who have had positive experiences with The Deli, will continue to support their local Jewish Deli, there are not many left.
