Dobbies Garden Centre Cafe in Stockport

I wrote a review last week and sent photos on trip advisor of the disgraceful state of the cafe.. It looked like the place hadn’t been cleaned for a long time. All the seats were badly stained and full of crumbs as was the floor and tables, the toilets were also filthy and could do with a deep clean. The is absolutely no excuse for poor hygiene especially in a cafe and toilet . My review was answered saying the staff would be notified and hope on my next visit things would have been improved. Well surprise surprise IT WAS NOT. I could have taken at least a dozen more photos but didn’t bother as I dont think you are in the least bit interested. Disgraceful customer service Dobbies. Just thought I would tell you my review and photos have been removed from trip advisor,so I am sending them again. I have also put a review and photos on trustpilot

After a walk round the garden centre we decided to go for a drink and something to eat there were no tables or seats available only 2 tables in the dog seating area our young Grandson was thirsty and hungry so we went and sat in there as there was already a nice lady sitting in there without a dog I had been in the queue for about 15/20 mins a man and his daughter sat down behind my wife and Grandson with his food but no dog then a member of staff went over to my wife and she told her this is a dog area only and could she move when she explained there were no tables or chairs available when we got there she then was told how many tables there are in there as if she was telling lies then she pointed out a table had just been made available so could she move as she shouldn’t be in there this is very hard when you have a 14 month old a high chair a buggy and a husband still waiting in the queue but she had to move disgusting

Diabolical place Went to shop really but thought grab a bite to eat and a nice hot drink! How wrong we were No heat in the cafe area at all Queue was long on ordering food We only had a coffee as the wait was long and no sandwiches or hot food available Staff walking round freezing in cold conditions Even people on checkouts not very friendly Nicer Garden centres around won’t be coming here again that’s for sure!

I volunteered to dress like Satan for the children’s Christmas Santas grotto in December. There was a miscommunication with our email however as the staff were shocked when I arrived as Satan. Supposedly, they believed I was volunteering to dress like Santa, so they did not book a Santa for the grotto. Instead, I had to pretend to be Santa whilst dressed like Satan. All of the children cried out of fright, as did some of the parents. I shan’t be doing a good deed here again. My Satan outfit went to waste. It was one hell of a waste of my time.

We have passed this garden centre/cafe numerous times and thought we should try it for lunch. I wish I had looked at tripadvisor and gone elsewhere. The topping on the jacket potato was bland and tasteless. The fish finger butty was cheap fish fingers on cheap white bread. I had the same at another garden centre a couple of days later and it was 5 fish gougons on bloomer bread and it was cheaper. Not good.

Been here several times and spent several pounds I might add yet I am still not catered for in the cafe. There are 2 sections of cakes and still nothing for a vegan. I really don’t think token jacket and beans is sufficient. The staff are so rude and lacking in knowledge - I had to ask her to shake the milk before pouring. We were asked by 3 staff what we wanted and each one subsequently went and did something else. I was offered a small bar approx 3” long and half “ high for £2.85 - that was after she had picked them up and flung them back in. No thank you. Also, the constant tucking of greasy hair behind her ears was quite off-putting.

This is the worst garden centre I have ever visited it needs a lot of investment to bring it up to wilmslow and Woodford garden centre and the restaurant is pathetic 😡

So so disappointed In how my and my auntie were treated on our last visit. My auntie always brings her border terrier to our coffee catch ups and we always try and sit in the dog friendly area. On our last visit there was no room. They only have 4 tables in that section so we sat at the table next to it. I was approached by a member of staff who asked me to go outside or stand in the shop. I explained that there is no room in the pet seating area and I was waiting for my auntie who was in the queue buying coffee. She wasn’t interested and carried on asking me to stand in the shop and wait. I asked why they don’t just make the dog seating are bigger and she went on to say that it’s because of allergies that we couldn’t sit in any other area. The dog seating area is right next to the entrance to the cafe! So anyone with allergies are greeted by dogs when they come in the cafe…We spoke to the manager who dealt with the situation quickly and professionally by grabbing another table and extending the dog seating are for us. The cafe girls were rude and made us feel like we shouldn’t be there. Make the dog seating area bigger - the majority of people who visit have a dog. Really disappointed and as a Dobbies member I will be thinking twice before renewing my membership.

Disrespectful, ivd applied for a job there, when spok over phone was able to here f@@ck¡n@ east European. Not gr8 start.

Absolute shocking service. The staff, especially one woman (middle aged, very slim, brown ponytail) are rude and miserable. No one acknowledges you’ve entered, you stand around waiting and get snapped at for asking to be served. The wait for food and drink is a joke. I complained to the cashier staff and sent an email to Dobbies- got no reply, they obviously don’t really care to improve it. Avoid at all costs. Utterly terrible experience

Oh dear. What a total let down this place is. We visited in December, the garden centre wasn’t busy at all. So we thought great we will get some lunch. Went over to the cafe, waited very patiently for 7 minutes at the entrance before even being noticed by a member of staff. She came over and said you will have to wait there we are full. There’s a 40 minute wait on food and 30 minutes for hot drinks. She could not have been less friendly. There were 8 tables being used. The rest were empty. I said is it possible to get takeaway coffees and she just snapped back and said no it’s a 30 minute wait take it or leave it. So we left it. As did the 6 people behind us. What on earth is the point of offering a cafe / restaurant if you can’t operate it properly? This is a national chain. Do yourselves a favour either get a grip of this offering or do away with it and fill the space with something else.

Once again this establishment fails to deliver. Its not OK to keep saying sorry to its customers. No chef, lack of staff, we're busy etc. This has been going on for a long time, therefore do something about it.. I remember when Wyvale used to do meals for OAPs, this is a long distant memory. They would be better getting Costa Coffee to come in and take over..

I have just cancelled my loyalty membership having visited dobbies marple only to find, third time this month, it is not serving food. You are told to wait as the restaurant is at capacity. Yet Only 18% of the seats were occupied. How they can claim to have a restaurant is beyond me. The service, even though they only serve drinks is terrible. Avoid this place.

Poor food menu, cheap unattractive grub, poorly cooked and tastes like Yuck!! Only average service, I personally wont be back, even with a full menu.

We keep trying Dobbies to see if they are going to improve! Last week Altrincham had problems, this week Marple had no hot food because the dishwasher did not work. Nice new floor, tables and seats, inside only, outside are VERY uncomfortable. Star of the the day was DYLAN who deserves a mention for he must have a degree in placating disgruntled customers. Having said all that the scones and coffee were very good. If Dobbies read this, which I doubt they will, get your act together. We don't have this sort of problem at Notcutts or Shrikes, both of which have centres nearby. They are not the only ones within a 20 mile radius either.

Went for something to eat at lunchtime. Joined the queue waiting to be seated. Waited and waited. Empty tables that hadn't been cleared. When eventually cleared we were still left waiting. After 20 minutes we decided to go for a pub lunch. Can't comment on the food because we didn't get to try it. The pub lunch was great. Won't be going back.

Even during lockdown, they are trying to exploit you. Increased prices and very rude staff, within what I can only describe as dirty environment. Before it was taken over, at least the place was clean

Me and the Mrs popped into the restaurant on Thursday, as we usually do, for some cake and a coffee, In the past the service has been sloppy, coffees were not the best and the cake selection left a lot to be desired!! However, we...

This cafe has not improved since Dobbies took over from Wyevale. I have been a few times and there is always something wrong. Either long wait for food, wrong order etc. This time Sunday breakfast we were greeted by no hot drinks and till was...

Went with my daughter for a light lunch . We queued up to place our orders for quite a while . The hot drinks were ready straight away for us to carry to our table. There was quite a wait for our order of sandwiches...

Had a coffee and toasted tea cake there today. Will not be visiting again. Coffee was not hot enough and only little more than half a cup. My tea cake was dry and jus5 like a piece of toasted cardboard.. waste of money.

Ordered the Chicken n Bacon Panini. £6.25. Only 4 small pieces of Chicken and only the smallest piece of bacon. See the picture! It was dry and tasteless and OVER priced. The waitress offered to make another one but I was disgusted. Also, there were...

On 17th February for a special birthday afternoon tea we had booked a table at Dobbies. We had previously enjoyed an afternoon tea when the garden centre was under the management of Wyevale. However we had experienced difficulties booking with Dobbies due to the nature...

Not quite sure what to say! Big promotion about the breakfasts - BOGOF at weekends. What a joke. They get around the offer that helps pull people in by saying “sorry, no breakfasts today - not enough staff”! The only consolation was the store manager...

Absolutely disgraceful food section. Unqualified staff who don’t know how to work the till and take payment, leading to a 30 minute queue to buy a scone and a coffee. I also wanted allergen advice, which no member of staff could answer. Dirty tables and...