BITE user comments - Enceem
Comments by Enceem
The Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard
Visited this newly refurbished Pub/Hotel, now owned by Wetherspoons , on Wednesday 24 August 2011.
First impressions were good...area was clean,tidy and with plenty of activity, almost all the tables being occupied by diners.
The staff waiting on tables were very quick,pleasant and welcoming...however I can't say the same about the bar staff (All male on the night).
I was left to wait approximately 8-9 minutes whilst 2 of the bar staff talked between themselves and then to fellow members of the local rugby club who had just arrived.
Another lady had been waiting 5-6 minutes to place an order for food!
So, all in all a marked improvement from the old original 'Drinking establishment' but a note to the new 'management'....Train your staff in the finer arts of Customer service!
We are paying to consume food and drink, not listen to their 'Shift times and dates' or their latest 'Conquests'; We are ultimately paying your wages and would like to be treated promptly with courtesy and respect.
27 Aug 2011 08:25
Once again I chose this pub/restaurant to celebrate my birthday with 7 members of my family. I was a truly memorable day...the weather was fantastic for mid-April,my daughter arrived from North Yorkshire and we were all in a happy mood until.....until we entered this place.
What on earth is going on in this establishment?Don't they want,or need,customers?
We received a very frosty reception at the bar and an apathetic response for a table to seat 8. The first course was very basic,the main courses generally overcooked and dry with the desserts being mostly pre-packed fare. What a terrible shame...this could be so good - lovely setting,lovely old building, a barmaid with lovely long black hair and the most beautiful eyes but....not one member of staff willing to be customer oriented.
I will not be going back again!
8 Jun 2009 17:44
The Three Locks, Stoke Hammond
DO NOT VISIT THIS HOLE ! Dirty,uncared for and unwelcoming...is the BEST way of describing this pub.
The only infrequent trade is from the passing Narrowboat owners etc consequently they have quite a poor footfall...and it shows. Lousy beers and totally disinterested staff !
Be warned.
13 Aug 2008 18:06
Its crap,crap,crap! Locals rule ok? Ifyou want to stand waiting for very average beer and lager,served by disinterested staff while locals block the bar..then come to this pub.
Not recommended for the average sentient being.
24 Apr 2008 11:33
This pub has been better but is still fairly well run.Its recently been refurbished which gives the appearance of more space but the area around the bar is still difficult to navigate when busy.Had my 50th birthday dinner here;the service was efficient and quite friendly but the food was a little dry and overcooked with heavy sauces. Only the young bar staff need to improve now - they could do with a course in Customer services.
"ab uno disce omnes"
24 Apr 2008 11:20
The Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard
DONT GO HERE - ITS SO BAD ITS LAUGHABLE!
Maybe the BBC or ITV could do a 'Fly on the wall'documentary on this 'HOTEL'???
Driners Den more like!!!
AVOID AT ALL COSTS
2 Apr 2008 10:39
Rough,noisy and can get cramped.Over priced with ignorant staff and poor service.
Rough pub for rougher people in a fast becoming rough town.
2 Apr 2008 10:35
Rough pub,rough regulars with spit & sawdust surroundings. Frequented by young,very young in some instances!,locals getting drunk,loud and generally obnoxious.
Nothing to recommend it - unless you just want to get very drunk on cheap,tasteless lagers.
Stay away!
2 Apr 2008 10:27
Very nice,clean and well presented pub with some lovely food.Beer is well kept,reasonably priced and served by a lovely lady with a winning smile.
Pity about some of the locals sitting at the bar all the time preventing visitors getting to it!
2 Apr 2008 10:23
A good,well run country pub with some very good beers and tasty,well prepared food.
Clean,tidy,orderly staff who are polite,quite efficient and provide good service.
Prices here do reflect what you consume as the regulars are all well-heeled types.
2 Apr 2008 10:19
The Black Lion, Leighton Buzzard
Despite its recent refurbishment it is still a busy towncentre pub with no pretensions.Cross section of customers from the local winos,market-stall holders to local estate agents.
Beer is so-so,food mass produced and the decor becoming filthy already.
The service is below average with barstaff wanting to stand and chat to regulars,or each other,rather than make you feel welcome.
Apart from that,...you make your own mind up.
2 Apr 2008 10:15
The Ashwell Arms, Leighton Buzzard
Small,pokey and very cliquey. Newcomers are made to feel like outsiders and intrusive.
Beer so-so,food average,hospitality...zero.
Go somewhere else if you can.
2 Apr 2008 10:09
The Three Horseshoes, Cheddington
Brilliant pub run by Nell & Jerry,not forgetting Richard too of course. Excellent food,well cooked and served,great beers and great atmosphere especially at weekends. The locals are very inviting and friendly with plenty of humour to go around.
Can't recommend this pub enough.
Cheers.
2 Apr 2008 10:06
Local pub for local chavs,dorks,airheads and plain ugly girls.
Ignorant staff and crap beeer.
Don't go here - be warned!
The place is a total mess too.
2 Apr 2008 10:02
Popped in here for a quick pint on the way home.
What a dramatic change this pub went through. Very Bistro/Wine bar type of aspirations but let down badly by the arrogant,ignorant,condescending staff and the quality of food.
Still gets busy at the weekends but mainly due to its local clientele.
So if it's a quick,very average meal and a pint you want this is the place...but you will pay well for it!
2 Apr 2008 10:00
The Litten Tree, Leighton Buzzard
Very,very busy local town pub...especially at weekends.
Full of teenies,chavs and wannabee Paris Hilton types!
I you are over 35,clean,decent and with more than 3 brain cells - stay well clear!
It is awful.
2 Apr 2008 09:51
Quite a nice setting,very clean and orderly when first opened but Oh dear!...What has happened?
Food is overpriced,lacks finesse and taste,the service is dire...and overall business management seems to be slipping.
Originally this was a trendy place to go,now its just another out of the way pub!
2 Apr 2008 09:47
The Golden Bell, Leighton Buzzard
Rough small town pub,with chav-like staff and even chavvier customers.
A real locals pub - stay away if you can.
2 Apr 2008 09:43
Nice big pub with old fashioned pretensions. Very good cask beer,well kept and the service was attentive and quick.
Frequented by local businessmen mainly but still open and large enough to enjoy. Food looks good,good portions but overcooked. Very large restaurant great for wedding receptions but left virtually empty most of the time.
Large back garden,handy for summer.
2 Apr 2008 09:40
The Duke of Wellington, Pitstone
Quite out of the way with a 'Run-down'feel to it but a nice welcome from the hosts June & John. The pub is generally frequented by the local narrow-boat owners who can make an outsider feel a little intrusive. There's a quiz on Thursday nights which is good fun.
Food is OK with fair portions and the cask beer is kept well.
2 Apr 2008 09:35
The Axe and Compass, Heath and Reach
I use this pub occassionally on the way home and have seen its demise.Now run by a fairly affable lady who has been in the trade awhile but the pub doesn't seem to improve. The meals are OK with fair portions,the service is OK but could be quicker,more attentive greeting the customer more warmly. Unfortunately this place feels sterile,lacks charm and warmth really only catering for the few locals who sit in the public bar to watch the football!
Enough said !
2 Apr 2008 09:30
The Axe and Compass, Heath and Reach
Popped in last night and enjoyed an excellent 'Fish supper' along with an enjoyable two pints of 'Directors'.
The pub was very busy with a mix of locals and passing trade....always a good sign!
The food was excellent; well cooked,plentiful and with quick,polite service.
Finally, it was gratifying to visit an establishment where you are greeted warmly by such a pleasant, efficient 'Team' of staff.
We will be back to dine again very soon....Highly recommended!
27 Aug 2011 08:49