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I'm jakeperks from Telford. I've been Qyping since 13-02-2011

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White Hart - Telford

10 Wharfage, Telford TF8 7AW

15-01-2012

Possibly the worst treatment I’ve ever experienced in any pub in the UK. Avoid, avoid, avoid!

We popped in for a quick drink at 10.50 on a Saturday evening, before our 11.15 taxi, only to be told, in a curt tone, that the bar was closed. Let me remind you that this was at 10.50pm. On a Saturday. In a major tourist destination.

The reason for the early closing soon became clear…

We sat down, empty handed, and twiddled our thumbs for the next fifteen minutes. I overheard the bar staff’s conversation: all young twenty-something females, it seemed they were desperate to close up and get a taxi to their night out. What’s more, I overheard them discussing the two people (us) who were still in the pub, who were – obviously – a problem for them and their plans. “F*** ’em”, I heard one say. At about ten past eleven, the bar manager came over and said to us “please can you leave now?” After questioning the logic of a pub in a prime tourist area that closed so early, the “bar manager” claimed she could do what she wanted as she was the owner’s daughter and hustled us out of the side door.

As a born and bred Salopian, who is proud of Ironbridge’s heritage status and the role it plays in both national and international tourism, I am shocked and dismayed at the attitude displayed by the White Hart, which is one of only four public houses along this historic stretch of the River Severn and, in my view, has an implicit duty to represent the face of Shropshire hospitality. If you are considering visiting the area, I implore you to avoid this establishment. It is not representative of the genuine welcome that you will normally encounter here and you will be better received at The Swan, The Malthouse or The Tontine, all of which are located along the same stretch of the river and are more deserving of your patronage.

If the owner of the establishment is reading this: You have a pub in a prime spot and you’re sitting on a potential goldmine; however, your daughter is doing her level best to ruin it for you. Please sit up and take notice! If you think that closing a pub at 10.50 is okay, then perhaps the pub trade isn’t for you.

David_Turner Bad experience Jake – thanks for the warning

damber Good to know Jake – definitely one to avoid.

Evans Construction - Oswestry

Fairfield Pant, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 9QQ

05-08-2011

Evans Construction really value cleanliness and tidiness above everything else. That’s the only reason I can think of that would explain why they prefer to throw their food cartons out of the van as they’re driving along, rather than holding on to them until they’re near a convenient litter bin.

David_Turner Well done for drawing it to our attention

Apley Farm Shop - Norton

Stockton Buildings, Norton, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 9EF

02-04-2011

Apley Farm Shop opened its doors to the public on Thursday 31st March 2011 and features, as well as the farm shop itself, a café and a kids' playbarn.

We decided to visit today to check out all three. We had been fortunate enough to be invited to a special pre-opening event at the playbarn a couple of weeks earlier, so we already had an idea what kind of thing to expect. We were not disappointed!

As farm shops go, Apley raises the bar and sets a new standard. Housed in beautifully converted original farm buildings it's airy, spacious and very well laid out. I was responsible for trying to keep a sixteen month old in check, so wasn't able to take a close look at much of the produce on sale, but it's generally what you would expect from a high class delicatessen/farm shop, including some more unusual fare, like venison chorizo. Produce is generally locally sourced, including beef and game directly from Apley estate itself.

I don't do cafés, as I much prefer pubs, but this café is going to be an exception to that rule. Simple offerings, such as sandwiches, quiches, ploughmans' and so on, but the quality is exceptional. There's a kids' section on the menu, which steers clear of the deep fried stodge you find in far too many places. As you would expect, there's a tempting array of cakes and other sweet treats that all looked good. There's a range of red and white wines as well as the usual teas, coffees and some very nice soft drinks. I would like to see bottled ales available and noticed that they sell a range of local ones from Hobsons and Woods in the shop. A bottle of Town Crier would have slipped down nicely today.

The playbarn is currently the final piece in the jigsaw, although I believe that they plan to open a business centre here too. My wife is the expert on playbarns, having been to most of the local ones, but I gather this one is a little different to the rest. Kids' birthday parties are confined to separate, private rooms, which I think is a great idea. The seating area is therefore made up of comfy leather sofas with coffee tables and café style chairs and tables, all for grown ups, with complimentary newspapers and magazines provided. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, ice cream and cakes are sold from the counter. Oh yes, the play section itself... well I enjoyed it, so it must be good! I'm pleased to see there's no ball pit, as I think these are just germ magnets.

In summary, I hope nobody reads this review as we would like to keep the place a secret, thank you very much!

Jamie's Italian - Birmingham

Middle Mall, The Bullring, Birmingham, West Midlands B4 6UD

06-03-2011

What is it about city centre dining that makes the proprietors think they can get away with delivering dreadful service for a premium price? Jamie's Italian is a good example of bluster, attitude and style over substance.

We ate here for a friend's birthday. The table was booked for 9pm, but wasn't ready when we arrived, so we hung around and waited near the bar. It seemed to take forever to get somebody's attention to order a drink and just as I was about to be served, our table became available, so I said I would order at the table instead. That proved to be a mistake... it also took a long time to get someone to take our drinks order there. The time elapsed between arriving and actually taking a sip of my first drink was around 50 minutes. Not very good at all.

Being a large party of 21, we ordered several days beforehand. The choice of starters was soup, meat antipasti or veg antipasti (served on a wooden board). Some soups arrived at the table, but were taken away again because apparently the other starters weren't ready. Finally everything started to arrive. The restaurant had chosen to serve two starters to a board, but they didn't actually tell us this, we had to ask. Two people had ordered the veg starter, which was also served two to a board, but it hadn't occurred to the staff that the people who had ordered them might be sitting ten metres apart at opposite ends of the table, which was the case. On pointing this out, the waiter apologised and offered to bring out another one "on the house". On the house? I hardly think so! I value quality over quantity every time, but the portions were so meagre, one of my fellow diners was compelled to complain.

Main courses arrived in dribs and drabs, as mentioned in other reviews, and really were rather uneventful. If you're going to charge more than £15 for chicken, it had better be really spectacular chicken, but sadly it wasn't. It was pleasant enough, but I've had more interesting food in my local pub for two thirds the price.

Time was really beginning to march on and some members of our party had to leave before puddings arrived because their car park closed at midnight. Puddings did eventually arrive - after midnight - but not all of them. They were put in front of us randomly, without anyone asking who had actually ordered what. Of the four people at our end of the table, only two got puddings, but it was now so late and we were so tired we simply couldn't be bothered any more.

I dislike stuffy restaurants that insist on the use of "sir" and "madam", but throughout the evening, staff referred to members of our dining party as "darlin'" and "beautiful", which I think is disrespectful.

I won't be returning and won't be recommending this restaurant to others.

Bumford Heating - Hoyland

Millhouses Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S74 9LU

02-03-2011

One of their drivers cut me up rather aggressively on the M1, then proceeded to tailgate other vehicles. What an excellent advert for this company.

Telford Vehicle Services - Telford

2 Sovereign Park, Telford TF7 4NZ

13-02-2011

I'm very glad I discovered TVS. Since starting to use it I have recommended it to various friends.

TVS charge a realistic price for a vehicle service. I was fed up with being charged in the region of £400 for a quick once-over at the local main dealer and found that TVS would do the same work for £125, which included a car wash afterwards.

They clearly care about customer service, otherwise they wouldn't include a feedback card with the invoice.

A (female) friend, who has used them twice on my recommendation, likes the fact that they explain everything in straightforward terms. I emphasise the female part because traditionally garages engage Patronising Mode the moment a lady customer steps through the door.

TVS have my automotive business for as long as they keep delivering this standard of service at these prices.

Egertons Grooming Studio - Telford

14 Humber Lane, Telford TF2 8LR

13-02-2011

A gent's barber shop, complete with the good old "turn up and wait" system, set within a ladies' hair salon.

A good cut from the ever-pleasant Alisha (is that how you spell her name?!), all for the princely sum of £7.50.

If you park in a certain way, you could potentially step out of your car and into the shop without setting foot outside!

Monday to Wednesday - 7am - 6pm
Thursday and Friday - 7am - 7pm
Saturday 7am - 2pm

Oscars Restaurant at the White House Hotel - Telford

The White House Hotel, Wellington Road, Muxton, Telford TF2 8NG

13-02-2011

I've been to Oscars several times and always enjoyed the fact that they seem to take a pride in the quality of their ingredients. You would expect that this would be a given for a restaurant, but sadly that attitude is lacking in many places these days.

The food is generally pretty standard fayre, albeit of a high quality, but sometimes that's exactly what you want. However, I wouldn't mind seeing a few more "experimental" dishes on the menu from time to time.

The bar menu is great value too.

Crown Inn - Oakengates

Market Street, Oakengates, Telford TF2 6EA

13-02-2011

Fantastic real ale pub. I don't go regularly, but when I do go I'm made to feel right at home. This pub attracts a diverse range of people from all walks of life who share a love of real ale served in a proper pub with a convivial atmosphere. The beer festivals are well worth visiting as all the ales are pulled through pumps, rather than being drained directly off the cask.

Dominos Pizza - Oakengates

Holyhead Road, Telford TF2 6DN

13-02-2011

We used to order pizza from here relatively regularly (if you can call once per month regular) but we put a stop to that a while ago.

When you think about it, the cost of the ingredients in a large pizza must be all of about £1.50, yet the finished product costs closer to £16. Either the overheads in running a pizza takeaway must be colossal, or somebody is making a very very fat profit by serving up what is not much more than dough, tomato and cheese with a measly sprinkling of various toppings.

For £12, we can get two mains and a large egg fried rice from our local Chinese. It's bursting with good quality ingredients and there's more than we can manage. No contest, really.