The Carlton — Restaurant in Newcastle-under-Lyme

AVOID - Unreliable and unprofessional!!!

The Carlton fell far below expectations. I booked the venue months in advance for my 21st birthday, with confirmation of availability from the management team, both via email and in person, upon which I paid in full. We remained in regular contact regarding catering details, yet just three weeks before the event, I received an impersonal email, simply asking me to call them to be informed they had TRIPLE booked. They didn’t even extend the courtesy of calling me themselves.

The proposed ‘solutions’ were inadequate: an outdoor space dependent on the weather, with umbrellas as a solution?! or inconveniencing another group, in order to offer me a significantly smaller room - one which couldn’t accommodate my guests. I was repeatedly reminded by the staff member that he was a new manager, and had no idea how a TRIPLE booking had occurred. This offered little reassurance and raised serious concerns about how they will prevent this in the future!!!!

Despite being promised a same-day follow-up with more adequate solutions, I received no contact until a week later - where I was then informed they could offer no solution. Given the short notice and the fact that it was a bank holiday weekend, securing a new venue was difficult. As compensation for the considerable inconvenience and stress, I was offered a single bottle of Prosecco - frankly, an insult under the circumstances.

Considering the lack of professionalism, poor communication, and a clear pattern of disorganisation echoed in other reviews, I would strongly advise against booking with...

ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND! My friend booked this venue six months in advance for a 21st birthday party, and it was confirmed via email and text message. She had visited the venue several times and had paid the full amount to rent it. The venue’s food was extremely overpriced, and they would not allow us to bring our own.

The venue had been in regular contact to discuss details about the party. However, only THREE WEEKS before the event, she received a call informing her that they had triple booked the venue!!!

They offered to let her have her party OUTSIDE?! In English weather, this is completely inappropriate—they offered umbrellas as a solution?! They also said they would ask another party to give up a tiny room, despite NOT HAVING THE CAPACITY, and have still not responded to my friend about this—a week later.

Since the party was meant to be on a bank holiday, she has been struggling to find an alternative venue, and The Carlton has offered no reassurance after THEIR mistake. The manager claimed to be new, but that is no excuse for the huge upset they have caused.

As compensation, they offered a bottle of Prosecco—a completely inadequate gesture. It does not make up for the disappointment and unnecessary stress they...

I have walked past this place for years, and I've always said this would make a great bar. Lovely Georgian architecture, beautiful interior, and lovely patio to sit outside in the summer. I have been coming here since the day it has opened and seen it grown to be one of the towns most popular bars. Great that they put on DJ's over the weekend that change on a regular basis to give people different genres of music. I personally have come to a couple of the Red Knot Collective events, and I have loved every moment of them. Lovely staff who always serve with a smile and pull together as a team and support each other when at their busiest times. All the staff commit to serving the customers quickly and efficiently as they can. It's great to see the bar open on Sundays now. Something that they should have done a while ago. But now they do, and people can have that unique Sunday chillout vibe. I mean, who doesn't love a lazy Sunday? 🤔😉 I look forward to seeing what comes next at the Carlton and any new future events. Until then keep...