The Prince of Wales, Fleet

I went to this pub yesterday for Sunday Lunch and was SO disappointed - I would like to warn everyone of the awful service I (and many others) received.

My friend and I turned up around 1:30pm on a sunny day which also happened to coincide with the Fleet Marathon; therefore, the pub was busy and the garden packed. Since the pub has recently been refurbished, we assumed this also indicated an uplift in the quality of service and food. We did not have anything else to do for the day and so were happy to wait the hour for food, as informed by the grumpy bar staff who tried their best to deter us from placing an order.

Two hours after placing our order, having witnessed at least ten other parties complaining about the wait and also the poor quality of any food actually received (many demanding a refund), there was still no sign of our meals. I therefore joined the lengthy queue of disgruntled customers at the bar and also requested my money back.

We had not been given a table number, instead being told that 'we will come out and shout on the patio', and so this caused more delays as the staff had to find out exactly what I was due as a refund.

The bar staff continued to take food orders despite an enormous backlog of orders and people walking out in disgust every five minutes.

In short, I wasted 3 hours of my day in total, putting more and more money behind the bar while I waited in vain for a Sunday Lunch.

I would discourage everyone from visiting this pub if there is any risk of it being busy, as they are hideously understaffed. The staff they do have there (including the manager) are rude and unwilling to help or offer any customer service.

12 Mar 2007 09:10