The Willoughton Wanderer

Too Much Staff Chatter

We’ve been to the Honey & Fig brasserie in Retford a number of times and never experienced a problem. Today things were slightly different.

It was a bright summer’s day so we expected the brasserie to be rammed packed. There were a couple of people sitting outside in the sun but only 4 others inside. Bonus we thought, we can get a table.

We were quickly given a choice of tables, offered the menus from which we ordered two coffees, a single-shot Americano and a Flat White.

We sat waiting for a short while and then became aware of a lot of chatter coming from the counter area. When we looked over we could see all the staff ( a gaggle of young women) having a laugh, a joke and a chat. The young woman working as the barista was leaning on the counter chatting to another member of staff on the other side completely oblivious to us and our order.

She saw us looking at her and, with a sheepish look on her face, quickly turned to the coffee machine to make our coffees. I’m afraid I have one of those faces, the way it hangs I think, that gives a strong impression of displeasure, and I think that’s what may have come across today.

The management should ensure that the staff are clear that orders come first and time for chatter is for the slack times and not necessarily on the shop floor. Not a very satisfactory experience for us I’m afraid.

We noticed that another coffeeshop had opened up directly opposite the Honey & Fig so will probably try that one next time instead. This may also account for the lack of customers when we arrived which didn’t change during our visit.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g661690-d15789187-r894316584-Honey_and_Fig-Retford_Nottinghamshire_England.html#

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