Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Swettenham arms Cheshire nightmare barman

Well. This evening Tuesday night classic car night. A nice evening to be enjoyed but COMPLETELY spoilt by the most obnoxious barman I have ever come across. We ordered a drink at the bar whilst holding a menu. We asked to order food and were told you need a table number if eating outside but you don't need one if eating inside.....my wife then went out and found a table number on one of the many empty tables.... I then proceeded to order the food at the bar with the young bar maid and when half way through the most obnoxious barman interrupted and told me you must order food around the corner at a food till. I told him but I have ordered food many times at the bar why should I have to walk all around the bar especially when the order is already half ordered.... After more pestering from him I walked away towards the food till and stated "well I don't think I'd want to come here again"...
At this point he then followed, as I reached the till the barmaid was already there. He then started asking me questions. Don't you think you should use the till. Why are you not happy to do this etc.... Again I stated that as on many other occasions I had used the bar to order and this had never been questioned why now, he again questioned in a way that could only be seen as a form of bullying. Possibly now on a power trip he whinged on about how ordering food at the bar would slow down the barmaids taking drinks orders when busy. It was not busy. I then told him I thought it was disgrace then he had a complete power trip and told me "well I don't want to take your order.... We will not take your order". So at this point I put my beer down calmly and walked away to find my wife outside at the table where we then left....I don't know wether this person was a manager, landlord or pot washer. The obnoxious power tripping waste of space has lost a reasonably loyal customer. It probably won't bother him but any body reading this........have a look on trip advisor and at other comments.... Seems like they have a bad apple in the barrell....such a shame we then went to the Red Lion at Lower Withington and had a drink and meal at a fraction of the cost with a happy barman who was happy to serve us.

What ignorance - and an awful experience on an evening out.

Sounds like his days are numbered in the service industry.

Name and shame the pub. Sorry did not read the forum heading.

Just put your review on Trip Advisor, they hate it!
Pub name rins a bell, which village is it in?

Ah I remember now near Congleton?
I'll also do a review......😂

If you read the reviews the service is very hit and miss.
The guy assumed you might be an akward customer so decided to not serve you.
It is the pressure the management is now under to get the takings and profit up for the brewery from food sales as the alcohol sales are down.
They have to run on minimum staff.
But they should always remember a bad experience spreads down the chain more so than a good one !
You would have had a long wait for food.
Be interested if Frances leaves a reply to your review!

I cant stand poor customer service, put your account on Trip Advisor. Best way to get an improvement for future customers.

We have been to the Classic Car meet several times this year on a Tuesday and have always enjoyed the experience.
I think the person involved is the owners son who often sits at the bar overseeing proceedings.
I'm really sorry to hear of Stuarts experience and if that's potentially how you will be treated we will give it a miss going forward.

Worthers +8

Pity, pity! Looked at their website and it seems quite promising.But cannot find it on TripAdvisor, how (where) should I look up?

Fortunate, the Red Lion did well in the end!