BITE user comments - tempest
Comments by tempest
The 3 rating for this pub is wrong - it should be 1.
Fails under all headings because of inept management and low calibre staff,
12 Apr 2015 23:05
Seems to be run by two 50/60 year old ladies - who live in a different world. They think customers are invisible, and - if you complain about being ignored - abuse is common.
Much better food, service and hygiene standards in nearby establishments. Bad service - by staff with attitudes. And just waiting for their shift to end.
12 Apr 2015 22:42
The Yew Tree 'Time well spent', Reigate Hill
Primarily a restaurant now - well located with good parking. Food and beer are good, as is the beer garden at the rear. Just one problem - the governor who obviously went to the Basil Fawlty school for personality enhancement.
5 Nov 2014 22:28
Yes - skips and scaffolding outside. But, its a pity that the owners couldn't be bothered to update their website.
5 Oct 2014 14:36
A seamless transition - Nick taking over from Ken. You'd hardly notice any difference although Nick, quite rightly, is doing things his way. Excellent service and beer quality.
10 Jul 2014 15:49
Perhaps - the first good and logical post from slerpy .....ever
5 Jul 2014 21:34
Yet more advice from a regular and 'true postie'! But I agree with blackgander - a local should NOT be a community; I drink here regularly and have no desire to chat with either regulars or locals; We come - often after work - to have a few (or 10) beers and are happy to talk among ourselves.
Moaning about a fire and giving out about the beers - as these sad regulars do - seems to be the norm. Wishing that things were still done as they were in Ken's time; that time has gone - and it is now Nick's time. Nick and his staff are doing an excellent job - and the pub remains one of the best in Surrey.
If the moaners are so distressed, why don't they frequent another establishment; I know that Nick wouldn't mind! With regard to 'stating the obvious - pub closed' - this simple note is, in fact, most helpful; telling us, for instance, the the only Westcott pub is not trading - and saving us a journey.
But you can't please everyone.....
18 Jun 2014 10:36
An old rural pub with a lot of personality and Youngs' modenisation didn't spoil this. With its garden, location and car parking - this pub has everything, as the last poster said.
However, the brewery seems to know this - and also that the venue will be full, no matter what. Accordingly, they put in midiocre managers and fail to do anything about the frequent complaints about declining food and beer standards.
For me, a local who remembers a great pub, this is sad. I, also, now use an alternative local pub - where I see many familiar faces from the Dolphin.
9 Apr 2014 13:04
Busy pub, near bus and railway station. Only pub in Redhill with Sky sports.
5 Apr 2014 10:26
The beer is good here.... and so are the burgers, the only thing on the menu. Sadly, the staff are the problem - inefficient, inattentive, talking to themselves, on mobile devices etc.
Its a small pub. Very. Asked for a G&T recently, the barmaid - just in from another job (call center she told us all) - didn't understand.
Staff iPhones and successful personality bypasses are the norm here - as the governor concentrates on her other pub.
1 Apr 2014 22:16
Seems to be on the market again - the only pub left in Westcott.
1 Apr 2014 13:32
Awful place. Many people hope its closed for good this time. Really an Estate pub and one which the brewery failed to manage, by an inability to put in decent management - time after time.
21 Mar 2014 12:51
Major refurbishment under way - although the pub seems open most of the time. It was long overdue - and it'll be interesting to see the end result for Dorking's oldest drinking establishment. Just a few doors up from the pub, one of the Mayflower passengers lived, about 400 years ago.
3 Mar 2014 14:49
And your post was a review, slerpy? The senility is accelerating....
25 Feb 2014 08:59
There's a large sized manager in here who has daily loud debates with his staff - and often walks around the pub talking, at high volume, on his mobile phone. With no regard for paying customers. This place is awful because its run by morons.
13 Jan 2014 19:04
Why 'review' a non-existant pub, and comment on a building site?
29 Dec 2013 08:07
If a freehold pub is owned outright (JDW now have many), no rent is paid or borrowing required - and it is noteworthy that this is the only (erroneous) dispute Slerpy is able to take with croydonpeer's comprensive post. So instead, he can only try to insult and sarcastically point out a typo.
19 Dec 2013 16:55
Left the Blue Anchor because of the number of babies (6!), after work today. Went to the Red Cross - but they followed! About 5pm, after work. NOT on.....
8 Nov 2013 22:49
OK, Geofff, the pub has a Pay and Display car park. Not too unusual - get over it.
24 Oct 2013 12:50
One has to wonder why old Steve P Sanderstead (slerpy) has to provide this information on a public beer/pub site! Dementia, most likely. But, inheritance tax is a major downside/worry in such matters - and tax blokes are known to read BITE too (too, spelt correctly).
24 Oct 2013 12:31
To call this pub 'perfect' is pure madness. Although it has potential, its badly run - under all headings: Beer quality, hygiene, service etc. Most of us Ockley people go elsewhere these days; who could blame us?
13 Oct 2013 13:33
Reopened and called The Tower. Thought I'd give it a try yesterday - to see if it was better than the dire/vile Dog & Duck (previous name).
It would seem not. I went in about 4pm/Saturday and ordered a drink from the barman - who was quickly told by another bar person that the pub was closed.
This message was then curtly relayed to me without explanation and there was no notice or any other indication of the closure anywhere.
Others got the same reaction - and it seems that the newly named venue is already back to its awful service standards. Whether it operates on alternative opening times, I have no idea.
My only decision from my visit was not to return. A rating of 1 is ample.
1 Sep 2013 11:52
The Live and Let Live, Guildford
It seems poor old slerpy is now on a typo crusade! But, then, he's the only bloke in the UK to drink Greensands IPA....
1 Aug 2013 08:16
Slerpy - what, on earth, does a typo about another pub have to do with the Moon? Get a grip man!
1 Aug 2013 07:24
Yes mason. Also thick (very) and lazy.
The village idiot of Sutton.
8 Jun 2013 10:49
A guy brings a dog the size of a pony in here - with the dog's smaller brother. The guy stands at the bar just inside the door and the dogs stretch out on the floor - requiring humans (and other dogs!) to almost climb over them.
The guy loves being asked - 'what sort of a dog is that?' - answer 'newfoundland'. Pity they don't all return to that country or leave the dogs outside. Also, the big dog has some hygiene problems which us ale drinkers dislike.
15 Apr 2013 14:30
Another dreary essay from TWG. Never 10 or 20 words, when 1,000's will do........
15 Nov 2012 10:34
Huntforbeer is on the money - in respect of this fine local. But rats like 'drinker' (8 negative posts in a year) will always criticise the JF and those who enjoy the place .
1 Nov 2012 10:58
After work - 5ish; we go in sometimes. A bored asian lady serves us. Often wonder why we bother. The only plus is daily newspapers and the pub's central location.Pity.
30 Oct 2012 23:39
Currently being refurbished - sign outside saying 'under new ownership'....
28 Oct 2012 13:45
Had a few excellent beers in the Jolly over the weekend. Service was efficient; will be back. 7- rating is accurate.
1 Oct 2012 16:28
Some pubs allow children in; some don't. Spoons pubs do - with certain conditions. Pub owners make the rules; if you don't like them - why not go somewhere else? Simples.
1 Oct 2012 16:23
c and - gives this mediocre venue a 10! bias in the extreme. crunch is on the money....but, as c and says, mud is her speciality. accurate rating; 4-
30 Sep 2012 00:03
Nothing has changed in the last year. Rip off joint, unhygienic, bored staff. Needs total makeover/new staff/toilets. Still more expensive than the Grand Hotel!
13 Sep 2012 00:40
Well said cave - but knowing you, I can see what she wouldn't have wanted any eye contact. A lot of people don't like blokes with one eye looking at the other!
13 Sep 2012 00:29
Top, middle or bottom, bars! We can always rely on the slerp to do JDW's promotional work.
25 Aug 2012 15:51
1959 berates the food, staff, music and even the customers - in his only post! An axe to grind? I think so. This pub has a nice feel to it.
11 Aug 2012 10:47
Toffs and the horsey set, the last two posters say. In The Cage? I've never seen either in five years. Good, well run little boozer and a bit small; gets very busy.
14 Jun 2012 13:33
Opening, I believe, later this month. Good timing - with The Market soon to close until September!
14 Jun 2012 13:15
Yes, I've noticed the constant TV news that only some lip-readers can understand and have asked for the captions to be put on - only to be told they're broken, about a year ago. Maybe, the local management think that regulars have no interest in the news? If so, why show it?
29 May 2012 10:26
For Sale sign is down - and work is taking place inside, with a skip outside. Whether it'll be a pub again, or something else, is unclear.
16 May 2012 09:45
I see no point in calling vic ignorant - for stating facts; The Grapes and The Moon are the same in almost all respects. And, as hopp says, vomating is no longer a problem at The Moon .
19 Apr 2012 13:46
CLOSED. Lunchtime today - and I am a regular. No notice. Sad.
15 Apr 2012 15:31
Stiil shut/boarded. To Let sign up. Looks in a bad way....demolition?
15 Apr 2012 15:29
The Brewmaster, Leicester Square
mprince. just have a look at kevmac's recent posts; he is a moaner - one to be ignored
4 Mar 2012 22:45
Yes, some customers are unacceptable - maybe pikeys. Alan (the dog) is allowed to take over, shouting and foulmouthing. Pity, after a nice refurb.
26 Feb 2012 17:14
Late on Saturday afternoon, the sub-tv blokes were in as usual, with the grey haired fat bloke watching only goal replays; he can't be bothered to watch the games. Although, there was loads of sport on (rugby, soccer etc.), only one bar person was working dowmstairs - with long waiting times as a result. So far, Fullers have kept the same management; this not looking good......
26 Feb 2012 17:07
There are a few TV's in there, randolf. But the one you refer to - where those with directorships and doctorates congregate - is on the ground floor, near the bar.
I stongly agree that these chaps should be moved on; they have lived there for years blocking the entry of staff to the area behind the bar - whilst spouting loud and utter garbage, almost daily, and shouting at the TV.
Woe betide those who try to invade 'their' space!
Fullers (to whom I have written on the matter) should adopt a clean sweep approach and bid these blokes adieu. Perhaps, they could adjourn to the Nutley/Admiral - or some other less prominent Reigate location where they would be better suited.
20 Feb 2012 15:43
Fullers plan to revamp the fine beer garden (behind the first floor) and to serve breakfasts; this will mean an early opening - when most of the other Reigate pubs open at noon!
7 Feb 2012 16:14
Fine boozer and landlord. Good that Alan has been barred with his dog!
27 Jan 2012 22:32
'Stupid comments' says villagedrinker! But accurate ones, as agency staff are a feature of this pub from time to time. However, the pub's main problems lie in a poor management and an odd tolerance of loutish behaviour - mainly during the day.
14 Jan 2012 10:02
Lad talking rubbish again - posting on a pub's page without mentioning it! The PC is Whitstable's newest and finest.
28 Dec 2011 10:23
In a very sorry state now - would cost a fortune to renovate and reopen.
13 Dec 2011 10:46
Dire place - worse than ever! Male strippers this week - Full Monty. Supposed to be doing food, but its rarely seen - and the place is often like a kids' playground.
18 Nov 2011 11:01
Yes roger, I share your viws on this fine pub - and also on Mr Angry (Psi) who, obviously has an axe to grind.But, with all the haha's, its difficult to know - a personal BITE message got a rude/unprintable reply; this bloke may be deranged.
16 Nov 2011 10:11
as kev says (scroll down) 'loooooooool'
this pub is run by lazy idiots
3 Nov 2011 22:13
The last poster is correct. Katie has a number of names and badmouths every other pub in Egham, except hers (for the time being), the Red Lion. Avoid it.
2 Nov 2011 22:04
Yes, about the size of four cars and ideal if you like people standing on your feet and breathing in your ears! A camel ride to get to the toilets (upstairs) and your drink and space may well have vanished on your return, 15 minutes later. No parking and far too small for, any, comfort. Accurate rating - 3.
13 Oct 2011 10:57
Been going in here for years. A couple of days ago, I ordered a spirit and mixer - asking what the price was first (as I had been short-changed here before).
The change was �1 short - and when I brought this to the attention of the duty manager (small, bald, fat, youngish), I was told that - although I was trying to attract attention of a staff member from the outset - I should have brought the error up sooner.
After some 'conversation' and an offer of 60p refund first, I got a begrudging 'sorry' +�1 from the small somewhat inarticulate small bloke (after intense examination of the cash register) - with the explanation that the server was on his second day. CHECK your change....
This all took place at about 3.30pm on Friday, 23rd of September.
25 Sep 2011 20:11
Laugh and guv lie. I was there also on that sad day - as I am about 3 days a week. This is an excellent pub - why the hundreds of awards? Visiting publicans - unlike local regulars - seem to think they have free rein on a day out.
Not, with Ken! Go elsewhere....
14 Sep 2011 22:58
Nail gun attack - tell me more!! I was there for the football yesterday; it was packed.
29 Aug 2011 11:34
Have a lie down JP and speak for yourself - from no. 11. We shall be in this fine pub tonight.
4 Aug 2011 09:38
Tom, the manager - when passing a member of barstaff (from behind, as friendly jokey type 'shock') put two empty/cold pint glasses on this same serving bloke's face. This attempt at a 'bit of fun' between mates was taken in good taste.
Sadly, two pints were sold (today) from those two shelf replaced pint glasses.
Hygiene ain't too good here - but what is?
3 Aug 2011 21:13
Undoubtedly, the finest pub in the area after its recent tasteful refurbishment; the standard of fitting out is very high and the place is bright and airy with the old bar area retaining its old appeal.
With an excellent menu and the spotless kitchen in full view, Youngs have even improved on their fine work at The Chequers, Walton and The Dolphin, Betchworth.
A large number of friendly staff are on hand - with free newspapers to read on super-comfy chairs. The full range of Youngs beers is at hand and the beer-garden at the rear is uniquely designed.
13 Jul 2011 13:44
Fullbelly now has a dozen recent and negative posts about The Plough - and seems to dislike those who like the place! Biased (obviously) and/or barred (maybe?). This is a good pub in an excellent and scenic location.
1 Jul 2011 09:41
New, fresh and foodie - sounds good to me! If Youngs' sympathetic refurbishment of the older Dolphin at Betchworth is anything to go by, the Home Cottage will turn out fine. It wouldn't be hard to beat the Abbot, Dog and Duck, Sun etc. - even the White Lion usually resembles a morgue.
12 Jun 2011 12:22
John - the landlord - gone? Well, he was there over the weekend putting on great food/entertainment etc for the wedding and all. 100's of people at the pub.
2 May 2011 22:38
TWG's predictions are a mite premature and Youngs' tasteful and sympathetic refurbishments/extensions - of, say, the Dolphin in Betchworth - shows their ability to greatly enhance even older pubs.
A visit to the Reigate and Banstead council website shows the plans (which were approved without any objection); the old part of the pub - that shown on BITE's picture - will not be touched externally. The extension, a coach house type structure, is at the rear.
BTW, the 'let the pub go to the wall and sell it o redeem the not inconsiderable land value' option is not realistic. Punch Taverns have tried this route and failed badly; planning and listed building chaps have a lot of clout.
When completed, the new Home Cottage will be one of East Surrey's finest and, by far, the best in Redhill or Reigate.
22 Apr 2011 12:31
Too right, fox. Because of the almost zero competition in Redhill, the management have become extremely complacent and great mates with their staff buddies. Nothing wrong with that but service standards have slipped. A shake-up in management (Ross etc.) wouldn't go amiss and, perhaps, breathe in some new life/enthusiasm to the place; this may be difficult because of the lack of competition, although a major refurbishment of the Home Cottage has started - to be followed by the Dog and Duck later this year.
21 Apr 2011 14:51
Still boarded up and for sale. This pub was always badly run and catered for the chavs (old and young) of the area, Now looks rather sad/worn - and a brave person would have to invest a lot for the place to reopen. Fine pubs nearby, like the Whitre Hart.
3 Apr 2011 17:49
Saw another girl come out of a toilet cubicle downstairs in this pub this week - she never even thought of washing her hands!
A barmaid.......................
She served immediately, a rarity for this place.
18 Mar 2011 21:48
Since jack beech (market taverns) took over, this pub had been the worst in surrey - with awful staff who just want to talk to themselves. Few of them will put this place on their empty CV's when seeking employment. Thankfully, this dire pub closes in a month, permanently.
2 Mar 2011 10:32
Yes 5555, this chap has held court here in the afternoons for years - singing and foulmouthing; for this, he comes out from Dorking. An ex-journalist, his stories seem to impress his sycophantic cronies and his language has been ignored by the ever-changing staff and management. The cronies are also from elsewhere. Such a pity.
17 Mar 2010 16:49
Due to the 'laps' of the pub's license, a notice outside says that the Bulls Head was closed by the police yesterday and I was in there when they arrived! For this to happen, management standards must be very high!! Assuming that there are no objections - by the police or other parties - it will take some time for this pub to open again as the licensing process (from scratch) can be lenghty and costly.
15 Feb 2010 11:01
After the recent sudden departure of the manageress, the Bulls Head is being run by barmaids and their mates! Standards have dropped due to the clear lack of experience and it seems unlikely that the current situation can continue for long. The barstaff are very keen to converse with a clique of mates at the end of the bar, instead of running the place in a business-like fashion; however, this is probably beyond them. New management is urgently required.
25 Jan 2010 13:33
On Wednesday evening, I enquired about the Curry Evening which was advertised for said evenings. The barmaid looked at me blankly and uttered 'u wha?' She had no idea what I was talking about!
One if the best locations in East Surrey, but one of the worst pubs; the ratings confirm this. Most Regatians have voted with their feet; I wish Matt, Ben and Monica would follow them, quickly and asap.
4 Dec 2009 15:35
Very large place, with massive beer garden for the centre of Windsor. The 'Dining Room' is well above average for a spoon and its the first place I ever saw spirits being served from a gun - the type that mixers/splashes usually come from; there are no optics here and the service is much quicker.
Easily, the best pub near the castle.
30 Nov 2009 12:26
The Harveys is acceptable - but that is all. Hygiene and staffing standards are very low, whilst prices are high. Much better places nearby. The reason for this sad state of affairs is simply a lack of interest; texting barmen tell a tale.
27 Nov 2009 13:20
The Bell, Reigate
To type that Hendrix is a bonus is extraordinary, as this chap is constantly very nasty to visiting canines - barking loudly and squaring up aggressively. Whilst he is not busy chasing his ball/furry friends all over the place, causing many to make detours!
Staff are friendly and courteous - but they do like to chat between themselves; this is only of concern when customers are left waiting. Burgers are a very good standard and the beer choices, and quality, are first class - the best in Reigate.
15 Jul 2016 11:49