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It's such a shame that your stay at Marston's Inn accommodation was blighted by incorrect information that appears on the publically facing internet. I do take it you left this feedback with the receptionist on your departure? This would, in turn, be fed back up the chain where appropriate action can be taken either in simple steps of amendment of website details or omitting the option for food altogether. Perhaps giving the details of your stay with the grievance(s) via email (emily.mclachan@marstons.co.uk) so this can be forwarded to the right resource team thus preventing the bitter after taste. It is good to read that strict measures are being taken serious as this is the "confidence" that people need to know & feel when considering going to a Marstons establishment.
Good morning Barchid arrived home late last night after a marathon trip.
Stayed at 2 pub/hotels so got a comparitor between private operated and corporate(Marstons)
As usual Marstons accomodation clock is separate to the pub and resturant. A relatively modern complex where they have strict protocols to prevent CV19. It was clear the Hotel and Pub were operation on a skeleton staff ( the same member of staff was moving between the Pub and Hotel). This is fine as costs must be controlled, it did not impact on comfort, but one did detect the member of staff was kept very fit.
The pub was not over busy even though in a good location. I would say there were less than 10 patrons in the pub/Restaurant, 20-25% of customers. The Accomodation block was 30-40% occupied.
The Hotel is tidy and clean and ample parking.
THERE IS ONE BIG NEGATIVE, ON MARSTONS BOOKING SITE BREAKFAST IS STATED AS AVAILABLE , FULL ENGLISH, CONTINENTAL OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.
I wished a Breakfast however when checking in was told NO we cannot do. It was late and I did not remonstrate with the member of staff.
This IMO is very poor and no doubt other visitors would feel very agrieved.
Pub/Hotel 2 on the Welsh Board , which is independant, provided breakfast as required. They have a timing arrangement to make sure a limited number are in the Restaurant at one time. This hotel was CHEAPER ( breakfast included) than Marstons. This was not the issue, the fact Marstons did not keep to that advertised on the website, was to me a serious negative.
If the company does not deliver what is promised it will have a detrimental effect on Foot-fall. Bad news can travel fast.
That's putting it mildly Barchid. But I'm not gonna contaminate this board with it.
PM, a dipstick of note !
@Barchid
Hi mate. I've been neglecting my duties on this board myself of late. I've been a bit distracted on a Facebook page dedicated to my loathing of Piers Morgan. It's eaten a lot more of my time than I thought it would so I'm taking a bit of time away from it to spend time here.
@fairdealer
Do you have a report on the Marstons Motel you tried out on Tuesday ?
Postings have been v quiet this week from the usual enthusiasts and price predictors aka Mystic Meg, possibly because Mars have gone down whilst rest of market has gone up .
Barchid. Maybe mate. We'll have to wait and see.
@Trent
Quite likely but worth taking note of nevertheless
Camra have form for this kind of thing. So far with a 100% fail rate.
from a friend who works for Carlsberg in IT security..
Lol were already planning network installations so it better go ahead :)
Well there is great potential for producing more cheaply and selling direct to the public so shows the small independants are worried.
I see there is a piece in The Grocer and a couple of other publications today saying that CAMRA have approached the CMA to investigate the JV with Carlsberg.
Asking for an enquiry & getting one is quite a difference but I doubt many people were expecting that a request 0might even be made. Google has the full story.
lower vat on food to equate with supermarket restaurants wiggy.
Dose ... I think should be, BUT NOT ON ALCOHOL?
sorry, August only for food , https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53337170?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmn26jne8r7t/chancellors-summer-statement&link_location=live-reporting-story
Wetherspoon on vat interesting https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53337170?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmn26jne8r7t/chancellors-summer-statement&link_location=live-reporting-story
Pub chain Wetherspoon said it would reduce prices on meals, coffee and soft drinks. The company has produced promotional posters to advertise food price cuts, including one called Sunak's Specials and another called Dishi Rishi.
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has campaigned for tax equality between pubs, restaurants and supermarkets for many years. He said: "Supermarkets pay no VAT on food sales and pubs pay 20%. Supermarkets pay about 2p per pint of business rates and pubs pay about 20p.
"A VAT reduction will help pubs and restaurants reverse this trend - creating more jobs, helping high streets and eventually generating more tax income for the government."
But he said that not every hospitality business would be able to reduce prices immediately.
"Some will need to retain the benefit of lower VAT just to stay in business. Others may need to invest in upgrading their premises.
"However, lower VAT and tax equality will eventually lead to lower prices, more employment, busier high streets and more taxes for the government."
"Meals 50% from government if no alcohol" Easy enough for establishments to charge for the food separately to the drinks
What, food but no ale?
That's a bit like masturbation without the payoff.
Meals 50% from government if no alcohol
@ Peltata.
I've said this myself fairly recently. Idiots attending "protests" and those ramming beaches and total new infections - 0.
Pubs reopen and there were supposedly 3 and pubs shut down again???
I smell a rat.
Well as from today vat is cut to 5% on all food in pubs, and they don't have to pass on the 15% savings if they want to put that against lost business in the last few months.
OK most will pass on some but if Mars passes on 5% and keeps 10% to off-set lost sales that could be a big boost to their turnover for the next 5-6 months and maybe push mars into more profits.
@wiggy
Thanks for imparting this information to us but I fear it will go down like breaking wind in a lift with most posters on this board as they criticise anyone who thinks things might not all be rosy in the Marstons beer garden(s).
I have to say I am not surprised to hear this though, as many high street shops might just as well be closed since they have been allowed to open, the only busy places now allowed to trade seem to be hair salons as so many people need a haircut.
Not many Marstons holders need a hair cut though, most have suffered a severe financial one !
I hope this isn't replicated across the Marstons Estate. I have just come for a quick pint (little castle) on return from a bike ride and its empty, other than 2 people on the fruit machine drinking coffee.
I asked if it had been like this all night, pretty much was the reply.
Over the last several weeks we’ve had many protests with no social distancing and many large gatherings on beaches, but no spike in the infection rate - pointing to us being on a continuing downward trend - the media have to fill their papers with something sensational however. This is good for pubs/restaurants- the mask wearing that comes in on the 24th is both necessary and can wait 10 days apparently, I think this suggests the govt doesn’t want to look as if it overreacted initially, as it really doesn’t make much sense.
No, it isn't
@doze
Clearly you understand the 40% I refer to.
Surely it is better to discuss reality rather than fantasy ?
Or is this forum supposed to say, well done lads, only down another 7% today ?