The Romer Arms, Newnham

My partner and I have been using the Romer Arms for around 12 months. During that time it had been an underused and somewhat neglected village pub. We liked the attitude and treatment received up until recently.
After a change of management we visited the pub one evening, at which time the 'new people' appeared completely indifferent to our arrival with no greeting and indeed, on ordering 2 drinks, these were served in an off hand manner and 1 was not as ordered! .... we didn't stay and moved on to get food and further drinks in Weedon.
Having thought we would give it another go, last evening after trying to contact the phone number for the pub, which was continually engaged, we finally confirmed availability for food and opening hours........
The attitude of the person who answered the phone was cavalier and indeed the tone used was just completely, take it or leave it, just didn't seem to care.
So we arrived at the pub and was greeted by a polite young barman (not who ever answered the phone) and ordered drinks and was offered the menus, from which we chose 2 meals.
Drinks were fine apart from the Guinness which had a very large head..... after being seated the food was served. The food was good but was served on very cold plates and as a consequence, the food, when it reached the table, was luke warm and virtually cold before finishing the meal.
The pub was very cold, both of us and indeed a lot of the other customers keeping on their coats to be comfortable.
There was no interaction, welcome or encouragement from the new management to make us wish to return at any time.
During the meal 2 further drinks were taken and both of these were very 'short on measure'. ie. should have been a pint but the head was 3/4" each time !!!!
To sum up we felt that no customer service skills were present apart from the young barman and if this is the way village pubs are going they deserve to die out.
WE WILL CERTAINLY NOT GO AGAIN.

29 Apr 2012 10:57