GAIL's Bakery Wimbledon — Restaurant in London

One afternoon last week my young son and I went to Gail's in Wimbledon village for coffee and cake. Already when we arrived I noticed that one of the outside tables had been taken inside with chair put on top of it - which I thought was pretty early for end of day cleaning/tiding up.

We ordered coffee and cake and I went to wash my hands in the toilet - which turned out to be closed for another 5-10 minuted as they cleaned inside it. It was clear the staff wanted to go home early due to early toilet cleaning and preparation for closing (more and more chairs were put on top of tables while we tried to enjoy our coffee). Soon the table next to our's also had chairs stacked on top. The staff continued cleaning, also under my chair, while I was trying to enjoy my coffee, which wasn't easy with the constant noise of sweeping, chairs being mowed and general tiding up in the background. Needless to say we didn't enjoy this very much. As one staff walked passed cleaning I made him aware that the constant cleaning didn't make us feel very welcome. He responded by saying: "you chose the time" - obviously meaning that if you come to Gail's within 30-40 min of closing be prepared for this. Massively surprised by his response I told him I would take a note of that. He responded as he walked downstairs telling me: " and I will take a note of your face". Needless to say I wasn't massively impressed by this incident nor the response of the staff on duty that day.

So be aware - don't expect to be able enjoy a coffee or other items from their menu in peace if you arrive during the last 30-45 min...

Visited the Wimbledon village branch today and how disappointing. Regularly use the Chelsea branch and absolutely fantastic. Service and stock first class. If only I could say this for Wimbledon. No greeting as you walked in as too busy talking to each other. At 3.30 very little left but picked 2 cakes and drinks to eat in. Received the drinks but no cakes. Whilst we were waiting for the cakes lots of people came in for takeaways. When enquired where our cakes were the server had no idea what we were talking about as he said 'i have just come back from my break'. After looking through the till said that the cakes had been sold. He was shouting across the shop and showed no empathy of resolving this or apologise. My husband then asked if he could come over to the table rather than shout across the shop. He kept saying 'like I said'. He did not offer a substitute and really couldn't be bothered. He then offered to take it off the bill and my wife said we would like a complete refund. Whilst the conversation was being conducted loudly across the shop the girl that took our order again couldn't be bothered to say anything as too interested in cuddling friends that had just come in. Reading the reviews it seems that this behaviour from staff is a regular occurrence and I am surprised that this has not been dealt with before. No management available which might explain why these bad reviews continue. Wimbledon High Street has recently opened shops similar to this which we went to with obsolutely no trouble at all. One Gails we won't be coming back too...

After a lovely hot day out we arrived at 5.45 myself with two young children one in a pushchair took 5 minutes choosing what to eat from the lovely selection let a couple of people in front of me as they knew what they wanted. Ordered some food to eat in and sat down. My sons food arrived (an extremely tiny slice of flourless chocolate cake which he informed me was delicious after about 4 bites) but waitress forgot to heat up my scone so without me requesting returned with it warmed as she remembered. Settled down to eat while I breastfed and waited for my pot of tea which didn't arrive so got up to ask for it and came with a dirty saucer so I asked for another which I was given swiftly and my son had gotten up to choose more food as he was still hungry and he's not a hungry type of person so I agreed, he wanted a muffin which I got up to pay for and was informed they close in 4 minutes implying he couldn't have it.

I hadn't yet started my tea and had only spread the cream and jam on my scone. I paid for everything to eat in and at no point was informed they were closing soon. I then proceed to pour my tea myself into a takeaway cup as we had to leave! Couldn't even finish my tea or scone.

The exchange was all very friendly and nice but either all three waitresses were extremely insensitive or unobservant as not one of them even helped with the pushchair down the steps and my son had to hold my tea as I carried the pushchair out while the waitresses all stood watching. Not a...