The Green Man, Great Offley

We have been eating at the Green Man for at least 3 years, every weekend, during the week when we are off work and some evenings.
We are so upset that after a change of landlord over Christmas, most of the staff have been replaced. Although we were told they were not around as it was now the quite season, first in 3 years!
The staff seem determined to turn the Green Man from a gorgeously cosy country pub into something that feels like a trendy town pub.
One of the statements advertised from the pub is "You can eat anywhere in the pub including the conservatory". Not true anymore! You can only eat in the conservatory area, which is quite noisy and busy, with children running around. We used to enjoy taking lunch in the front of the pub bar area as it was much quieter. Even the side section that is lovely and quiet with a roaring fire was out of bounds. We were told this was because there was not enough staff to cover any areas other than the conservatory and appparently there was a woman breast feeding. Is that really a reason for an entire section to be closed? The staff walk around like prison wardens with big bunches of keys clanking around the waists, with no social interaction past the false smile and cold reception. Worryingly, this 'top team' also seem incapable of producing 2 drinks and 2 lunches without getting it wrong! Although I am so shocked at saying this, I am so disappointed at what the Green Man has become, do yourself a favour and drive past this one and try another. There are plenty of still real country pubs just waiting to make you feel welcome and show you great service.

5 Feb 2010 12:51