La Patisserie Shoreham
4-6 East St, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5ZE, United Kingdom
4.8
278 reviews
8 comments
RPJG+Q7 Shoreham-by-Sea, United Kingdom
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Monday: 7–17
Tuesday: 7–17
Wedneasday: 7–17
Thursday: 7–17
Friday: 7–17
Saturday: 7–17
Sunday: Close
Tuesday: 7–17
Wedneasday: 7–17
Thursday: 7–17
Friday: 7–17
Saturday: 7–17
Sunday: Close
A new cafe has opened nearby which is nice enough, but having tried it, I’m very happy to stick with the patisserie!
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Helene, thank you for your response.
As it wasn’t you I asked about using the toilet, I’m not sure how you simply come to the conclusion that I didn’t ask at all and patronise me as if I didn’t (I did).
I’m aware many businesses have staffing shortages right now, which is why I didn’t chase my coffee after waiting almost 15 minutes yesterday. I was a little disappointed to not have my wait acknowledged, after all a light apology costs you nothing and shows a level of respect for your customers. The other bustling (dog friendly, WiFi providing) cafes on your strip, which I also frequent, are still polite and friendly - indeed I highly recommend Ginger and Dobbs and the new Toast on a regular basis.
It’s a cheap shot to imply I was grumpy - as if this would explain a less than five star review. In actual fact, I was super friendly, polite and patient. I didn’t even given a bad review to be on the receiving end of your passive aggression - you still got three stars! Only reduced to two now due to your untruthful and unwarranted response.
As for your nanny style attempt to belittle me for requesting WiFi - perhaps try keeping up with the times. You don’t know why I needed WiFi in that moment, yet you’ve made an assumption that I didn’t need it. Whilst you are not obliged to offer it, it is reasonable to expect it from a cafe in 2022, (particularly when said cafe expects you to wait for longer than the norm for a coffee).
Lastly, you overlook the fact that dog owners cannot use your cafe if they are alone with their dogs, because you don’t allow them in to simply place an order and you’ve refused to let them place an order and pay at the door. You can facilitate this (I’ve done it with you through the pandemic), you choose not to. This is, of course, your prerogative, but please do not try to make out that having outdoor seating classes you as ‘dog friendly’. You have outdoor seating to bring in more business. If there are groups where some have dogs, the others can go in and order on their behalf. You can’t stop dogs from sitting outside on the pavement - that is all. I have first hand experience in this. Just as I do of being refused toilet access. I have continued to use your cafe for many years, without complaint, in spite of these experiences and have supported you through social media. The same would have been the case after being refused WiFi access on this last visit. What prompted me to give an informative review and less stars than I’ve given you in the past, was your disappointing attitude to such a long wait for a coffee, followed by a very blunt response to my polite WiFi request. You write as though all customers should automatically understand that you’re busy and don’t want to provide WiFi while they wait - unapologetically. It’s pretty arrogant.
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All your second reply tells me is that you don’t know what goes on under your nose. I once walked in to order a cappuccino with my small and well behaved dog and was told he would have to wait outside. Knowing I cannot do this, I simply went to the much friendlier Tom Foolery. But when I needed some macarons, my dog was with me. You were quiet, so I opened the door, explained to the staff that my dog couldn’t be left outside, could I purchase at the door instead - the reply was a straight ‘no, sorry’.
On another occasion, my, then 10yr old, needed the toilet whilst we were having lunch. Your staff member told us that there were no customer facilities. He had to run to the Tap House, who graciously allowed him to use theirs.
In parts of your cafe particularly, the data signal is very poor. So I would strongly recommend that people use some of the other great cafes in the area if they want to use their devices whilst in the cafe. They offer WiFi and are polite.