Burley Stores — Restaurant in New Forest

Myself and my husband visited The Burley Stores Tea Rooms at the beginning of lockdown for a takeaway ice cream. The takeaway had no COVID measures in place and the ice cream was amazing. We decided to drive from Poole to Burley today to see the horses and get an ice cream. We queued outside the shop for around 20 minutes because we thought the ice cream waa worth the wait. My husband realised that he had left his fsce covering in the car, forgetting that it wasn't a kiosk and you do hsve to step inside the shop to get the ice cream. However around 20 people went in and out with their ice creams whilst we were waiting, that didn't have a face covering and they were only letting a few people at a time. We got to the front of the queue, stepped inside to see the staff had plastic perspex up, but were not wearing face coverings. The lady asked if we had face coverings, i responded to say i did, but my husband didn't. I put mine on, although i don't actually have to due to being asthmatic.The gentleman in front of us left, so we moved forward. The man working in there then said to my husband "do you have a face covering" to which my husband replied "no". The man working in there then said "what are you going to do about it". When my husband replied with "nothing" he asked him to leave. I then asked "so you are willing to lose money, because he doesn't have a face covering" to which the man replied "yes, when it is to protect people's health" They weren't wearing anything?! My husband continued to explain that they had served around 20 people without them whilst we had been waiting. The lady then said "please stop talking and leave" and held her hand up to him. I think it's absolutely disgusting the way that we were spoken to and at no point were we asked if there was a reason why he wasn't wearing a face covering. I don't think they are aware that there are people out there with health conditions etc, that should not be made to leave or feel bad for not wearing one. Absolutely discusting behaviour and we will never be...

Anytime we have been here the woman behind the counter has been great but today she went above and beyond. Me and my wife each got an ice cream and unfortunately in the car park she got spooked by a wasp and dropped it and got very upset (she is currently 24 weeks pregnant) so I went back in to get another and told the lady behind the counter why I was back again (because I thought it was kind of funny) and she replaced the ice cream for free. I told her I would pay but she insisted. It was a really nice gesture that ironically made my pregnant wife cry even more but in a good way. Thank you very much. Also the cornish pasties...

The person serving was the rudest person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. I am surprised he still has a business if he speaks to people like he did to me and the customers behind me.

He needs to go on a course dealing in customer service because he had know idea. If he doesnt want tourists visiting the area then shut his shop but he also needs to bear in mind its tourism keeping his business afloat.

Thank goodness that the other shops locally were a lot friendlier and made up for this...