Costa Coffee — Restaurant in Portsmouth

Today, in this slightly rainy weather, my wife and I decided to have coffee, the first time in this establishment in this city, at first everything went well, my wife decided to sit near the window overlooking the road and the floors were washed there and then suddenly the employee who washed them started breathe deeply and tell the whole room that my wife cannot sit there because the floors were washed there, and the second employee who was serving me at that moment reacted immediately, ran out of his cash register and began to tell my wife that she could not sit there, since the floors were washed, after which they offered to sit in any other place where the floors had not been washed, after that they prepared my coffee for me and we sat down at a table, after a couple of minutes other clients come in and sit in the place where my wife originally wanted to sit (about windows overlooking the road) this situation really ruined our day and we were left with bad impressions about this establishment. But they could, from the beginning, simply come up and ask to move to another empty seat, but that’s all, please be a little more polite. I definitely won’t go to this establishment...

Normally a nice place to go. Yesterday it's was an unpleasant place.

A member of staff getting annoyed with customers who were more than 1 metre apart (tier one - extra precautions face mask/increased ventilation (door was open) but not on the special floor spots that were in place from the old 2 meter rule! Lack of staff awareness of the rules or non updated company policy - unsure.

There was a child - who was either a member of staffs or who knew the child - allowed the child to get within centimetres of customers food that was on the counter, and breathe all over it - then allowed the child to go behind the counter - which given all the electrical appliances and hot water etc surly is a major breach of heath and safety, and general disregard for child safety.

The service by the 2 members of staff on duty was the slowest I've seen it in this branch.

The Costa experience is normally to a good and high level, however yesterday afternoon in this branch, this was...

Very clean, very friendly service - especially from the gentleman who took the first half of my order. I ordered a chocolate brownie frappe with no coffee and it was make quickly to perfection. Brilliant blend of consistency and efficiency. I decided whilst waiting to order a cheese and roasted tomato toastie, which was then heated by the same gentleman who served it quickly but it was positioned very nicely, the presentation was beautiful. It was perfectly toasted and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Best Costa experience I've ever had - will definitely go here more often rather than my two more local stores. (As you can tell from my photo, I enjoyed the toastie a lot... 😂)

*Edit Just checked my receipt and found the staff member's name. Brilliant service...