Pilot Inn, Hardwicke

This has the potential to one of the nicest pubs in the UK - no kidding. Fabulous location, great building. Unfortunately it's shabby and unkempt and has service to match. The tables out front were cluttered with empty glasses and rubbish, there are dead plants in tubs, the blackboards were days out of date, old cigarette ends are everywhere and look like they are never cleared up. The garden and grounds need a good sorting out. The staff are not very engaging and are seen standing around talking to each other instead of clearing tables and welcoming guests, there's no excuse for this, if they aren't interested in hospitality then get out of the business. If I'm paying nearly �3 a pint I want my added value: a smile, a welcome, clear tables, clean and tidy environment. I don't want to sit on a creaky old picnic table that hasn't seen woodstain in ten years. With such a jaded look to the fabric of the building and sloppy attitude of staff it makes me wonder about the cleanliness of the kitchen and cellar. The staff needs a wake up call and whoever owns this place needs to realise how much more of a business they could have if they put some simple management techniques in here. It really wouldn't cost much to get this place looking fantastic and some discipline and good housekeeping would make it the business it deserves to be.

25 May 2008 18:19