Sports Café at the Sports Plaza — Restaurant in West Suffolk

Critically understaffed. Very slow service. Not worth the wait.

Arriving here just after lunch, it was busy, and most tables were taken. We managed to snag a table but had to wait for one of the staff to finally be free enough to ask them to clear it. Many of the tables were slow to be cleared - the staff were clearly swamped.

After waiting another 10 mins to even be given menus let alone order we gave up and ordered online via the QR code at the table. Only at the end of the ordering process did it show that the earliest time we'd get the food was 50 mins later. Hungry but committed at this late stage we pressed order and hoped it would be quicker than the estimate.

The queue at the bar was about 10 people long with only one bartender working her best but clearly overwhelmed.

Waiting till our estimated time for our meal had passed we asked if they had an update they could give, and they told us that our order was still 5 behind, and were given complementary crisps as way of an apology. They said the online orders only ever say a max of 50 mins wait even when it's really much longer.

15 mins later (65 mins since ordering) our food finally arrived. We had figured it would be fresh and cooked to order, given the delay... but we were disappointed to get stale fries and garlic bread, and items that were tossed in sauce (the cauliflower and katsu) having sat long enough to be truly soggy and no longer crispy. Clearly the kitchen staff were as overwhelmed as the front of house staff were.

From our table we watched as nearby tables sat uncleared or cleaned for 10 mins or more.

I want to compliment the staff on doing their best despite a busy service, but they really needed much more support in order to offer decent service and food.

I wouldn't return...

We came here tonight for dinner. Booked for 6.15pm and had to order over an app. There were a few problems with trying to process the order so payment was taken at our table a little while later. We waited until nearer 7.30pm but no food had arrived. When we asked it turned out that the order hadn’t processed.

Unfortunately, we had an 18 month old with us so decided to not stay and have our meal which was going to be on the way. The manager and all of the staff that we had come into contact with previously came over apologetically and couldn’t have done any more for us. A refund was offered which we decided to take and head back to our lodge.

But there was some last minute scrambling. Even though we had had a refund, they had got our food order done before we walked out the door and gave our entire meal to us as a takeaway. We were really chuffed.

We headed back to the lodge and tucked into two knockout burgers and our son still got to have his tea. The meal was delicious and worth the wait.

If we go out to eat, we always judge it on the food and the service. The food was the best meal we’d had all week and the staff really did go above and beyond for us. I know that it must be tough getting used to new ways (for government restrictions) or taking orders and mistakes could happen. But their reaction to that mistake meant that we were just as happy as if we’d eaten in. The staff in this place are a real credit to the restaurant.

The food was so good, we booked for breakfast before we...

I have been visiting Center Parcs annually for the past seven years as part of our family winter tradition. Unfortunately, the experience at the Sports Café has continued to decline, showing no improvement from last year, which was already the worst of my visits. Instead of addressing the issues, things have only gotten worse.

The menu has remained unchanged for years, offering little variety or unique appeal. Despite the lack of innovation in their offerings, prices continue to rise to unjustifiable levels. For example, a five-piece children’s breakfast costs £7.95, which breaks down to nearly £1.80 for a single slice of bacon—a clear example of poor value for money.

It’s disheartening to see how the mismanagement of this location has eroded the once warm, family-oriented atmosphere that made Center Parcs special. The environment now feels overly corporate and sterile, seemingly focused solely on extracting the maximum financial return from its visitors rather than creating a memorable experience.

This year, the parc is noticeably quieter than I’ve ever seen, and without significant changes or a fresh vision, I fear it may not survive another decade. It’s a shame to watch such a beloved destination lose its charm and appeal. My advice: enjoy what’s left of it while...