Running Hare, Deeside

Its ok. Can have what seemed like parentless kids running around. Sadly, by the time I'd finished reading Mr Jones's rant my drink was flat.

Official site of the Running Hare, contains menu and wine list - www.runningharepub.co.uk

Official site of the Running Hare, contains menu and wine list - www.runningharepub.co.uk

THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS TERRIBLE - I WALKED OUT IN THE END I was working away from home and just so happen to be staying in the De Vere opposite the Running Hare in St David's Park, Ewloe. As the pub looks good and gets lots of good reviews online I thought I'd try it. I arrived about 5.30pm and the queue was massive, despite the restaurant not being too busy and the cavery having no queue at all. I chose my table and went to order but after about 10mins of being in the queue I realised my table had been taken by someone else. As there were lots more tables and I hadn't left anything on it I decided to just order my food and then use another table. I waited to be served for another 5 or so mins while watching the staff member (who i later found out was one of the assistant manager's on duty) take his time about serving every single customer like there was no queue at all. Still I didn't mind because the food looked good and I was in a good mood as work had gone well and the sun was shining. Finally it was my turn to be served, which is when things started to go rapidly downhill. I asked for a large cavery and orange juice and was asked for a table number so I explained the situation and said I didn't mind as I would just get my carvery and sit at one of the other tables (as there were lots of empty ones). I was then told "well I need a table number". To this I explained again that my table had been taken and as it was a cavery, which I would be delivering to my table myself I would just sit at one of the other empty tables. Again the staff member (who in my opinion shouldn't have been working there - remember I was thinking this when I still thought he was a regular bar staff member) said, "well I need a table number so you'll have to get one and come back". I said "so I have just stood here for 15 mins and now you are telling me I have to go back to get a table number and then queue again?! As I'm on my own the same will probably happen again!" (by now the queue was even bigger than when I first joined it). He said, "yes, I need a table number" and then went on to tell me that the system doesn't allow him to sell food without one. I said I wasn't happy to queue again and was leaving and he said something like "ok fair enough". It was like my business wasn't important and that he couldn't care less if I stayed or went. To be honest, this is appauling business sense even from a normal bar staff member let alone a manager. As I was leaving the pub I decided that I wasn't happy so went and asked one of the waitresses (who couldn't have been more helpful) to get the manager for me. It was at this stage that I found out that the useless staff member who had served me was one of the 2 assistant managers (think his name was steve but he was the thinner one in the black shirt). I asked if there was anyone above him and was told that the manager is on holiday. Another waitress said she would speak to the assistant manager who served me to see what she could do (remember all I wanted to do was order my food without having to queue again - there was at least 6 empty tables within 5 metres of me so finding a seat was not a problem). She came back and told me "the thing is you should have told him the table number of the table you were sat on so that he could go and kick off the people who sat there while you were in the queue". I pointed out that I had pointed to it but that it was hardly fair on them as they didn't know I was sat there and there were loads of empty tables for me to sit at. If I had told him the number all it would have done is annoy another couple and make me feel awkward for the entire time I was there, especially as it was completely unnecessary as I was happy to sit in one of the many empty tables. She then went on to say, "and he can't speak to you now because he is too busy!". There is just no excuse for this lack of business sense and professionalism! All I wanted was to sit at the empty table I was stood next to and for the waitress to take my money so that I could get my food without having to queue for another 20 to 30 minutes. In my opinion this employee should not be working for the pub at all, let alone as assistant manager. Don't go there unless you want this sort of treatment!

After been told you do not take bookings turned up for a meal for my fathers birthday to be told the food had run out at 6.30pm! Man behind bar also very rude. Definately management issues!