The Prince Albert (Rose's), Woolwich

Four real ale drinkers in my party made an effort to visit this pub over last weekend for a beer festival. I wanted to like and support this pub as a CAMRA member who appreciates good community pubs. This one, sadly, proved unwelcoming to 'outsiders', I felt. An order on the second round was grudgingly served, wrongly delivered and wrong change given. When I asked staff - politely - to rectify this, they closed ranks to deny my rightful claim, refusing to rectify their mistake, except by eventually offering me (more than) my money back and telling me I could leave - not the remedy I was seeking! My three companions, at various stages of drinking-up, and one of whom had to then cancel an order for food, decided to leave with me. I certainly won't be going back, and wasn't sure if I'd been 'excluded'. The staff that night (family?) would seemingly rather argue the toss over a half pint than value their reputation and new customers. I was gratuitously insulted into the bargain by the young man I complained to who said he was the manager. Not the best way to run a pub or gain credibility among serious real ale drinkers, in my opinion.

27 Sep 2010 21:55