The Bickley, Chislehurst

A great shame...

I have a lot of respect for the abilities of the management team as they have turned this place around over the last few years but I do think Terry (the owner) has taken his 'grand plan' one step too far.

The recent refurbishment does (in some ways) say 'quality' but the new and overwhelming emphasis on food and the restaurant totally alienates any one with a young family. And the number of conversations I've had with other young parents endorses this view. Before the refurbishment my wife and I would go along to the Bickley for a couple of drinks/meal every couple of weeks and we take our kids on a sunday once a month. The restaurant, which was already quite pricey for gastro-type food is now more expensive and absolutely child UNfriendly. Despite claiming to cater for children this is clearly not the case, either in their approach to children, or, more importantly the menu, How many 2-10 year olds want to eat a selection of fine english cheeses? And what happened to the simple food?

This is just my view of course but I know several other couples who feel let down by the new strategy (and I have even heard strangers discussing the same thing at a railway station) to the point where they won't now go to the pub. I must admit I am beginning to feel the same way. We were quite loyal to this pub but it can't even cater (or even tolerate children, in terms of facilities) then its loses my loyalty and will have to win it back. Really sorry to write this but I want the policy to be carefully re-considered.

The pubs biggest problem used to be a high turnover of bar staff and those they employed were all youngsters who had no interest in working there. The waitresses in the restaurant were more friendly.

I haven't read most of the below reviews to avoid being swayed but I would agree that the clientele they should be looking to harness is the 25-45 range and not:

a) the younger crowd that hangs around the outside making the place look slightly unsavoury.....

b) the 50+ age bracket ie those who's families have grown up and left the family nest.

I wait in hope, but for now I have no interest in going back to the Bickley. In the meantime there are two other pubs in the area that certainly do entertain the idea of a family dining experience and do it well.

13 Mar 2011 17:52