Fresh Kitchen in Havant

We had hoped that in the intervening months since Fresh Kitchen took over the Sainsbury’s cafeteria things would improve, but they’ve actually got worse. The hours of operation have been drastically cut - no hot food after 5 o’clock, for example. But actually finding it open and running a full menu is becoming increasingly difficult. Once again we turn up for an evening meal and there’s a scrappy hand written notice saying food stopped at 4.00 pm. They have staffing issues, and many of the previous staff have left. They even have problems with deliveries leaving them only able to offer a very limited menu. We have used this cafeteria since it was opened and breakfast often was heaving, with long queues. Now it’s normally half empty. People seem to have voted with their feet. What on earth were Sainsbury’s thinking about? They are not interested in the problems even though this cafeteria is within their store. They just say it’s nothing to do with us. But it’s within their store, you can’t access it without going through the store. It reflects very badly on Sainsbury’s management that they do nothing to improve the situation. What a shame! This lot couldn’t organise a booze up in a brewery!

Previously operated in-house by Sainsbury’s the ownership has changed to a new name of Fresh Kitchen. Seems to have the same selection as before and to be honest only used it in the past for drinks and a doughnut. However they could do more with this to make it feel a bit special. Some plants, some art work etc just to make it a nicer place to spend some time before the weekly shop.

Sainsbury’s has outsourced their cafeteria which is now ‘Fresh Kitchen.’ A minor refurb was done and some seats were recovered and more tables added, including a large number of fluorescent and rather nasty orange chairs. There are a few tables with charging points for phones etc. A few plastic plants have been added in the entrance. Since the take-over there have been continuous problems with staffing and food. We have been customers of the previous Sainsbury Cafe since the store opened, and we have always thought the staff were amazing. They were polite and cheerful and very helpful but staff now seem demoralised. Food was generally fresh and hot. Now there are frequent staffing issues and tables are often dirty and not cleared. The tray area where you can put empty plates etc is usually overflowing with bits on the floor. They seem to run out of things, even teapots. We are glad the menu has remained the same but feel sorry for the poor overworked staff. We just hope things improve.