Marples Cafe in North East Lincolnshire

Superb breakfast this morning! We had smoked haddock with poached eggs, and scrambled eggs with toast and bacon. Great service and tasty food, very nice 😋

I have been going to Marples on a fairly regular basis for over 20-years and up until VERY recently it has been faultless. Today my friend and I visited for brunch and I was utterly shocked at how empty it was : I have never seen it before as anything but rammed to the rafters. In fact, apart from my friend and myself, there was only one other table occupied and there were actually more waiting staff than customers. The food was excellent, as always, and actually was served VERY much quicker than usual - because of the lack of customer orders, I presume. The one thing that was immediately noticeable and has never been in evidence before, was the attitude of the serving staff. Without exception they were cheerless, unsmiling and gave the impression that customers were an extreme annoyance and irritant. This was SO profound that I actually didn't leave a tip, which is something that I would never do under normal circumstances. Having read the previous two Tripadvisor reviews, this does not bode well for Marples, which is an awful shame!

Just left our meal having barely eaten anything after overhearing an argument between what appeared to be the owner and the manager. The conversation seemed like it should have been kept in an office or anywhere other than where your paying customers are sitting trying to enjoy their breakfast. Having asked if the FOH member in question was ok after seeing her look distressed, my girlfriend was met by ‘Dave’, who I can only assume is the owner or someone in a higher capacity than everyone else with how he spoke to not only the young lady but my girlfriend also. Having hard conversations between staff and management is conducive to a well run establishment; unfortunately just not in front of customers and especially not in the tone that we heard. We will not be returning. My girlfriend now feels uncomfortable to enter an establishment that she’s been going to for many a year. £45 down the drain.

Arrived, place almost empty with no reservations on tables to be told nothing available. When you search for dog friendly establishments yours comes up. Maybe ensure this is altered.

The food in here is absolutely lovely, there is a lot of choice and it is good quality. I did feel a little rushed as different waitresses kept coming over asking to take our order whilst I was trying to sort out my baby. I also think it is a shame that there is no baby changing facilities, it’s a pretty basic thing to be lacking and would put me off coming again. I would recommend but wouldn’t say it’s particularly accommodating for babies.

We went here on Saturday when we visited Cleethorpes. It was really busy and we couldn’t get a seat initially, but was glad we got a place at the bar when we came back later. I had the banana and popcorn loaf - huge portion and really tasty. My partner had eggs florentine and it was beautifully presented with lovely sourdough bread. Would come back again.

Had lunch today as always it was excellent. We shared a fish sharing board, was more than enough fish was well cooked and very tasty, would definitely recommend. Staff always friendly and you never feel rushed

Marples is our go to place. We have been going here for 25 years. The food is excellent and the staff are welcoming and always pleased to see us. We started going with my mum and dad, who are no longer with us. They looked after them especially when they were getting older and things were more difficult for them. Since we lost them we have been equally well looked after. We usually book but if we don't they try their best to accommodate us. This is our favourite place in Cleethorpes, it is our home from home. Here's to another 25 years!!!

We visited this little gem today for lunch. Welcomed at the door and shown to a table. Excellent friendly service. Food was awesome, we shared a fish board with additional skinny fries. It was delicious. Only problem not any room for cake so will be returning shortly. I am sure we will now visit often as recently moved to the area.

Brilliant...as always. I have never had a bad meal here. Excellent service, even when very busy. Lovely food and sweet treats.

Excellent breakfast, with good choices for Coeliac. Ate here both days of our stay, enjoyed both a full english and eggs benedict

My husband and I called in and had lunch, Steak and caramellised onion sandwich and drinks which was absolutely delicious. We both felt very safe (I have been shielding) and all precautions were in place, hand sanitisers all around and the staff wearing masks and details taken for track and trace. Definitely somewhere we would call into again.

Visited for Breakfast on a Sunday morning. Was seated quickly and didn’t have to wait long to order. The staff were friendly and promptly delivered an excellent eggs royale, perfectly poached eggs, fresh tasting salmon and delicious hollandaise. Delivered with a cold freshly squeezed orange juice, included in the price with any of the breakfast items. Good value.

We received a warm welcome and immediately seated. We were given enough time to browse the menu before our drinks/food order was taken. Once our food arrived it was delicious.Great atmosphere, staff were attentive despite the resturant being very busy. I always enjoy a visit to Marples, even if it’s just for a coffee.

arrived at 11.15am to get a coffee and cake looked in the window and could see it wasnt full so went inside but unless you had booked a table there was no chance all the tables in the windows had reserve on them and i colud only assume the ones up the stairs also had reserve on them only 2 tables with people on them and they couldnt fit us in they should leave some tables for walk ins not everyone can book a table mid morning

Phoned on the off chance of getting a table on a Saturday night, we was warmly offered a table. Absolutely outstanding food and value for money. Thoroughly enjoyed it. We haven’t been here for a while but very that we returned.

Great place to go. Friendly staff. Lady decided to change her baby in full view of customers, which is not on. Apart from that definately place to visit

Visited this resturant 8th February 2020 greeted by very friendly staff. Resturant has a lovely atmosphere exceptionally clean with lovely cakes etc on view to choose from. Some tables have a street view. My husband and I ordered a cooked breakfast and we were really pleased with the quality and standard of the food. Lovely granary bread and not just a sliced loaf size a good quality buttered bread portion. The breakfast was cooked to perfection, x 2 bacon plus sausage, beans, mushrooms, hash brown which was not greasy, I had a poached egg and can honestly say it is the best poached egg I have eaten. I would thoroughly recommend this resturant we have been twice now and will definitely return.

Our favourite place. My husband and I eat here as regular as we can. Great for breakfast - awesome eggs Benedict! Always enjoy dinner too. Best meat pie Iv ever had. Fabulous deserts and cakes. Great staff too always attentive and very friendly and make you feel very welcome. All round lovely place to eat which keeps us going back

I came here with my family and newborn and the restaurant was relatively quiet. I soon realised that there was no facilities to change a baby so I used my changing mat on top of a chair. Only to over hear a blonde waitress say how disgusting it was that i was changing her in the restaurant. Her quote ‘the nerve of some people’ if the restaurant had adequate changing facilities or even a changing mat I would of used this however, it was not baby or child friendly and the toilet was in a disgusting state to lay her mat on the floor and there wouldn’t have been any room to do so. I will not be coming back as this is appalling customer service

Enjoying our stay in Cleethorpes & it was time to eat. Busy restaurant with delicious food and efficient helpful staff. Clean loos too.

My wife and I have becime regulars at Marples since my retirement in June. Lovely, attentive staff, spotlessly clean and even the food's good! Seriously, cannot praise this establishment enough! Great for either short or longer visits. A proper treat and value for money.

We visited as a group of 6 for a birthday meal on a Friday evening. Our table was ready and waiting for us and we were greeted by the friendly staff.

Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, ample menu. It took quite a while for our order to be taken, and staff didn’t notice when we tried to get their attention for more drinks. The food was nice, everyone finished their meals.

Staff were helpful and service was very prompt but the food was a great disappointment;

Myself and Partner came in one Sunday Morning and had Eggs Benedict with juice, it was absolutely beautiful. The staff were all friendly and welcoming. I will return at some point to try some more this lovely little cafe has to offer.

Visited with family, shown to table. Waitress who attended table was informed that a member of the party had a nut allergy. We ordered from the menu and the waitress said they couldn’t guarantee any of their food could be guaranteed nut free but it should be alright!!!

My brother and his wife arrived from Scotland to see us so we had as drive to Cleethorpes for the day.

I have been to Marples on a few occasions, and the food was always quite nice (hence I came back).

My partner rang this morning to book a table for two people at three in the afternoon as soon as the cafe opened this morning. The person on the phone went ‘yes sure’ went to fetch the diary, during this another person the in the background said ‘we might get busy’. Returning to the phone we were told that there was no tables. Maybe put her on hold next time if you want to do that.

Our daughters have a tradition of taking Mum to Marples on Mother's Day so I had not been. Saturday last week, I suddenly suggested we should have a walk around Seaview Street. Feeling peckish, we were drawn to Marples as a handy spot. Cut to the chase........I am a total convert!! Had the steak ciabatta. Ace! So much enjoyed, went again this Saturday! Prawns on granary for us both. A lemonade and a Peroni. Under £20. We may just become a nuisance!?!

We stumbled over this lovely place last night and I can recommend it. I had quiche salad and chips. My husband had mushroom stroganoff. Service was efficient and happy, even though they were busy. Special thanks to Melissa who went out of her way to provide toffee sauce on ice cream .

I visited yesterday (august 2019) before going to the cinema. My friend ordered a sunday roast which was around £8.50 and I ordered a Caesar salad which was around £9.50.

Today we took friends from Leeds for lunch at marples, as usual it did not disappoint. Two of us had the roast beef lunch whilst the remaining 2 had the special salmon skewers and the fishcakes. Everyone enjoyed their meals, they were excellent and the staff were super friendly and helpful. We even indulged in a dessert and I had the peanut stack which was rather tasty, especially if you like nuts and caramel.

We visited for lunch with a friend over from Spain. Staff were very pleasant and helpful.Meal selection very good.. Food arrived in good time and was hot. Very tasty.

When visiting the cafe this morning we’d booked a table for 11am. It was a surprise for a friend. At around 11.20 a young waitress came over to ask if we were having breakfast to which we explained on the delay of 2 people (birthday boy being one) had some bad news this morning and was running late. The waitress was so rude and insensitive and told s we had until half 12 on the table, yet when booking the table we weren’t told anything about a time scale.

Lovely afternoon tea at Marples. Our group had bread and butter pudding, chocolate brownie and strawberries. All were hugh potions and very tasty.

Only wheelchair accessible with help as there is a narrow door and step. Staff are helpful and friendly. This old fashioned style cafe is very busy. They offer all three: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It is years since I have been to Marples, It was lunch time and we had different meals all looked nice and came out at the same time, there were seven of us.

We ordered a roast dinner and a quiche salad. The roast dinner was average. However, when I make a salad at home and the leaves have gone brown I know they have passed their Use By date and it goes in the bin. So why should a professional establishment put it on my plate and ask me to pay for it? Very poor, but hey, maybe I got hysteria over listeria!

Marples is quite simply cake heaven with the best range of proper cakes I have seen anywhere in the last year.

Fantastic breakfast with great choice. Lovely service in a calm, classy setting. Nothing too much trouble.

Met here with family for a birthday meal.

Don’t really like writing negative reviews but feel I have to. Visited here a few times over the years and always enjoyed. However decided to pop in today for a quick lunch.

New menu new prices! There are no sandwiches just 5 ciabatta choices which I found strange for a lunch menu. I was shocked at the prices of the new menu thought expensive. £37 for a meal for 2 adults one consisting of a small slice of bread with avocado and an egg and a child’s meal and a quiche meal (which was a decent size but gone up in price to nearly (£10),and 3 drinks and my daughter had a pudding we all shared. The coffee cups are now half the size 2 mouthfuls of the cool coffee and its gone. Food tasted lovely like always but disappointed on price and size of cups and warmth of coffee. It’s more of a treat to go here now unfortunately at the new prices as now an expensive lunch. The toilets were not very clean a lot of dust on pipes. The paint looked a child had done it paint all over the sink. One of my favourite restaurants but today was disappointed.

I visited last night for a belated mothers day meal and this is the 3rd visit in the last 2 months. Each time the service has been fantastic and the food as well. Huge compliments to the chef they have there, the duck needs to be a main menu dish!

Great meal on Saturday night - excellent food and friendly service from the waitresses especially Wendy who was lovely and helpful .Thanks again

We were actually heading for a new place across the road which advertised being open at 9 am

My husband and I went for Sunday lunch. it was amazing, food excellent, lots of choice, staff very friendly and helpful. Excellent value for money

Stopped for a cuppa as in the area and we both chose the homemade plum bread with butter and Wensleydale cheese - what a good choice it was! Best plum bread I’ve tasted in years, very moist and lots of flavour. Will definitely be back for more of the same.....

My partner and I visited this place this afternoon, the staff are extremely friendly and polite. The food is very good and you get a very reasonable portion. We had fish cake of the day (salmon) and quiche, both were served with fries and salad. For drinks it was black coffee and tea, which came as a pot of tea, plus a pot of water. The coffee was good, but my only complaint is that I wasn’t offered a bigger cup size... I usually drink my coffee by the 2 gallon bucket..... but other than that a most satisfying visit

We popped in this morning at around 9am expecting to be turned away, but there were plenty of tables available. Maybe the bad weather was keeping people away as you normally have to book - but this worked well for us.

Superb as ever. Great selection of food and will do near enough any dish you ask for even if not on the menu.

Sunday morning breakfast at 10.30am with a friend - and pleased we had booked a table as the cafe was VERY busy. However, the food was served incredibly quickly after ordering and was absolutely scrumptious. I've never had an Avocado Crush before and I will DEFINITELY be having it again. Staff friendly and attentive, food tasty and quickly served, reasonably priced and a great experience. And as for the chocolate and orange cheesecake - well, have I died and gone to Heaven, or what???

I go here about 3 times a month on Thursdays for breakfast with my mother. We’ve tried the eggs benedict, the eggs royale, the scrambled egg, the poached eggs, the omelette,the crushed avocado. They have all been served within 10 minutes of our order being taken. They have all been served piping hot and by friendly staff. What more can you ask for?

Staff helpful initially, had the meat pie. When it came with the veg on the plate, my friend gave me his baby corn too, which when I ate them tasted most strange, like a really strong vinegar/off taste which tainted the rest of the food. Told waitress who said she would tell the kitchen. Found staff unattentive, had to grab their attention quite a while after we had finished the main to order dessert. Ordered two sweets, mine ok, friends lemon drizzle quite dry. When I paid, was asked if ok, said about the sweetcorn, and said 'oh yeah, I told the kitchen, dont know what happened there', no offer of a reduction or anything. Felt embarrassed as my dining partner hadn't been here before.

Excellent, wide choice on menu, helpfull staff. The place was full turning people away good job we had booked. Quite expensive but the steak pie I had was probably the best pie I had ever tasted, my partner had the salmon with a herb crust and said that was also very good

Wonderful restaurant. Very reasonable, lovely food and wine and very friendly. Will go back but you do need to book because it is very popular.

There's a lot to choose from on the breakfast menu- all looked amazing. Would recommend booking in advance as may tables were reserved when we arrived.

Called in mid afternoon and it seemed a problem we did not want a meal. Upon asking of they had any mice pies- we were told it is far to early. We do not serve mince pies until December! That told me!! So all u people who think Christmas arrives far too early, u need to visit marples- humbug !!!

First time visit for Sunday lunch,we were very impressed,staff were brilliant and very attentive and friendly,Sunday lunch was amazing and I have to recommend the homemade Bakewell tart and custard the best I have ever had. Will definitely visit again

We have taken family to this cafe for years and will not come again we have a new born baby one month old, whom can not sit up in a high chair!

Having been here multiple times in the past we were somewhat bemused to have been told today with our 4 week old baby that prams weren't allowed.

We recently had relatives visiting from South Africa and thought it would be nice to take them to Marples for a meal as we visit regularly and are always happy with the service we are given. We had a party of 8, which I know that Marples don’t usually accommodate (6max) and said that we might have to sit at 2 different tables. Upon arrival they had a table for 8 ready for us. The food was delicious and the service excellent.

Visted my grandparents for the weekend from Spain. Its the 3rd time ive been to maples and its just delicious and the food is so fresh. Un like most places i ate in Cleethorpes. A definite visit if you haven't all ready. Friendly and on the ball staff. Wish we had a marples in Spain. Well done.

Err, nice coffee and hot chocolate but not as charismatic as Central Perk, more Sea view, where's the toilet? But if you want to catch up with your mates from way back, this is the place.

Just popped for a lunch in my day off, always reliable to be served great food in a lovely atmosphere here. The salmon in cream sauce , and steamed veg was totally delicious. Always good for a breakfast too 👍🏻

This lovely café bar is at the seafront end of a little shopping street where there are a number of café bars and eateries. Tey serve breakfast until 11:30 with a good range of choices from pastries/continental breakfast to various cooked options

Dropped in for tea and cake on the off chance and we were greeted by very lovely and attentive members of staff. They couldn’t have been more accommodating! The cake was delicious 😃

I was bought an Afternoon Tea at Marples for my 60th birthday and was so excited I usually love the food at Marples. What a disappointment we were given a menu with a choice of Ham, Cheese, Tuna or Egg Mayo sandwiches or for an extra £1 Prawn or salmon. We didn’t get a selection like other afternoon teas we had one choice and were given 3 pieces of the same sandwich. We also had a piece of quiche cold we were not asked if we wanted it warm. A selection of Scones we could choose which scone we wanted with cream and not very nice jam it tasted like cheap supermarket jam. We also had one choice of cake from the cabinet which was a large piece of cake not two or three little cakes which I usually get with other afternoon teas. I was so disappointed it’s like they couldn’t be bothered to make it a nice selection of sandwiches and cakes they just gave us one sandwich one large cake a scone and cold quiche I wouldn’t recommend their afternoon tea.

Having decided to grab some sea air and have a morning stroll around Cleethorpes simply because we'd never been before, we chanced across Marples just back from the seafront and marked it down as a promising pitstop.

We had been to Grimsby to look at a car and asked the couple where would be good for a brunch/lunch, they said try Cleethorpes, I had never been , thought why not. Can always do Grimsby another time.......I wanted to try The Barge in Grimsby which looked good, reasonable and different setting, but we were short for time and Cleethorpes was heading down the way which suited us plus I wanted to see some of that area.

I was very disappointed today. They had run out of granary bread for sandwiches and it was only 1pm. Also asked if they had any non dairy milk for a latte and was told no. Similarly they had no non dairy cakes to offer me. The majority of places these days cater for non dairy as well as gluten free so don't think I'll be returning unless they decide to cater for food intolerances.

On arriving to the cafe we joined our family in a large booth. We were enjoying a coffee and looking at ordering food when a member of staff approached and said we could not all together.

Me and my friend went their I had a chicken sandwich it was good but my friend had a salmon baggute opened it up hardly a lot of salmon inside and took it back and a member of staff eventually came back and very miserable and unhappy and basically chucked the plate on the table was not nice and didn't feel welcome at all x

Not been to marples in years but always was a fan of the food there, so thought I’d treat my sister to breakfast, midweek morning so wasn’t overly busy however was told we must leave the pram near the door and take my niece out whilst sleeping which caused problems as she became grumpy and irritated. Completely understand health and safety must be followed but I think there is plenty of space and areas available to keep prams close to the tables. The breakfasts themselves were lovely and the staff were ok just a rule that I think cuts off a large chunk of customers from using marples. Won’t be back with small children that is for sure

Delicious lunch offerings, fabulous service. Always a great lunch option. My husband had the chicken livers which were delicious.

We stayed at the Haven close to this little cafe thought it looked nice from the outside. When we entered the cafe we were seen by a young girl who looked down her nose at us and shoved us to the back of the cafe near the loo.

Me and my partner love Marples. Lovely atmosphere, amazing food and good customer service! My favourite dish is the Salmon salad and the cakes are to die for! Never had a bad experience! The place is always clean and tidy. We will be back again

We were at the air show and were looking for a drink and sit down late in the afternoon and called at Marples. Had lovely cake, coffee and teas and a rest before going back to see the Red Arrows.

Avons déjeuné a cet établissement. 4 adultes et un bébé. Pour réchauffer un plat pour bébé c'était tres difficile. Repas correct. Prix abordable. Serveuse souriante. Passer un bon moment.

I visited yesterday for drinks and cakes with my partner and son. Marples offered a good choice of food, drinks and snacks at reasonable prices (for the quality). Our server was fantastic, she couldn’t have been any more helpful or polite. Apologies I didn’t catch your name but it was the lady with blonde hair tied back. Very surprised to see the reviews about rude staff. This certainly wasn’t what we experienced. If anything this lady was the difference between a good rating and excellent. Thank you for your patience when my son couldn’t decide which of your cake selection to choose! We will definitely visit again next time we are nearby.

Historic regular of Marples, popped in today with friends, empty seats but could not accommodate us. There were no reserved signs but we were told tables were booked. Ok It’s Saturday and a nice day so they are going to be busy.... however the lady in charge today was very rude, very off hand, her approach was ‘I don’t really care about you’. Someone needs to tell her Politeness is free!!! Will not be returning.

Sad to see that the inexperienced staff do not add to the standard of Marples.The tables and chairs in the upper tier are squeezed in and we were sitting elbow to elbow.

Not allowed prams, got to leave them by the door. Can understand as there’s not a lot of room but it’s how it was delivered. Plus our baby is too small to go in a high chair so surely exceptions should be made... there was a booth available with space for the pram. Came round the corner the The Helm what a difference !!! Family friendly service. Superb cafe.

From the moment we walked in to leaving the whole experience was 2nd to none. We had cakes and Latte's and both were incredible and heaven. The service was great, the young guy who served us was warm, polite and friendly (thank you). The cakes were tasty and tasty and full of flavours. There is a lot of good choices with the cakes. Good service, good food, good drinks and good company. So shall we go again? YES

Have visited Marples quite a few times and it never disappoints! The Fish and Chips are fabulous. Lovely surroundings. Would highly recommend.

Just had lunch with our two youngest daughters along with their two babies in their 'car seats' As we were polite enought to ring ahead to save embarrasment for the no buggy policy, they reserved us a table with a bench seat to put the baby seats on. They were very polite and pleasant. I had fish and chips and my wife had pie. Daughters had fish n chips and cajun chicken. All meals were very good. And enjoyed by all. Some of us had sweets. Youngest daughter likes cold custard with hot pudding???? . Baby finished off custard ( 5 1/2 months old!! )

We always pop in to Marples when visiting Cleethorpes and have never been disappointed. Sometimes just for coffee n cake but this time a starter and main course.

I am local in Cleethorpes and have been to so many bars and cafes but this seams to be the absolute worst. I can’t actually believe how rude the staff are with customers, how they treat them and how they get away with it???? I will never step foot in this place again and neither will my friends. You really have let yourself down, I have to speak to customers every day and would never speak to people the way they do! TREAT OTHERS HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was with 70th lunch that has already been reviewed and would like to point out a couple of things to Emma the manager.

My fathers 70th birthday and we had booked a family lunch. The waitress who served us was superb and the food was excellent but the manager had the common sense of a wombat with dementia.

Tried to eat here but they could, or would, not find space to bring the baby buggy in. So we enjoyed a meal in another place just down the road

Had a quiet Easter weekend dinner I ordered the sausage and mash and to be honest I was not expecting anything special........but it was simply delicious and ummmed with every bite My partner had a lasagna that she said was good The service was good

Great experience with excellent service and lovely food.

Ate here with my other half, i had the veggie curry and he had chicken. Little choice for vegetarians/vegans. Meal was ok, other half said his chicken was dry and to be fair it looked it, was very over cooked. I think its quite expensive for what you get. Service was good but when we were asked if we enjoyed our meals and noted that the chicken was dry the response was 'oh'. My pet hate is when you are asked how it was but actually they arent really bothered! Staff are clearly told to ask but not told how to react, a simple 'oh I am sorry about that I will pass that on' would suffice! Wont be rushing back as I think there are better places to eat in Cleethorpes where the food is similar in price but far exceeds on quality.

Just called in for coffee because it looked like a nice place to stop and have one. Cappuccinos were what you would expect and served by a polite and slightly nervous, young waiter.

Had Sunday dinner in here, as always food was expertly cooked and the service was excellent with friendly staff. As always only regret is always to full for a dessert....oh well another visit is needed!

Pushchairs not allowed due to.... health and safety, no space, marking the floor!!! All comments from three different members of staff. One: there was a partition out of the way right next to our table for the pushchair to be positioned which was not a risk to anyone including baby, two there was plenty of room and at the time fairly quiet (comment from staff was 'it could get busy'!) And three my pram wasn't made of nails and wouldn't mark your floor. baby wasn't feeling great and we'd finally got her off to sleep, staff told us in a round about way to wake her up and put her in a high chair. Also the absolutely lovely plesent member of staff in charge informed me to read the door it says NO PRAMS..... but whilst ringing up and booking a table for 2 children that required high chairs you'd think someone would mention no pushchairs as I can't actually see the door through the telephone. No one tried to help or do anything about the situation it was basically tough there's nothing we can do and it's our policy since we've been open, there was two big tables free downstairs which we asked if we could sit at instead and staff informed us 'No' as they are booked, not using their brain to even try swop us round before anyone came. In the end after the four of us tried to work around it, staff were rude and and were not accommodating and clearly need some training on customer service we went elsewhere, to the lovely petit delight who was only to happy to accommodate us and the pram also, food was delicious too. Don't go to Marples mum's with prams you are not welcome and it couldn't have been more embarrassing with everyone looking as if we'd dome something wrong! Very disappointing.

Firstly I'd like to say that I'm not normally one for writing negative reviews, I accept that sometimes people have off days and things sometimes don't go to plan etc. However, on this occasion I felt compelled to do so. My wife and mother in law visited previously and enjoyed the food and ambience of Marples so much so that we recommended that myself my wife and two good friends of ours visit with our young children. My wife booked the table, making it clear over the phone that we have two young children that would require high chairs as well as seats for 4 adults. Unfortunately our friend's daughter hadn't been very well on the day of the booking and was a little upset just before coming into the restaurant and so was pushed up and down the street for a while to settle her while myself, my wife our son and our friend came in to sit down. We were lead up to the back of the restaurant where a table with 4 chairs and 2 high chairs was waiting. Excellent. We were met by a young waitress who was very helpful and friendly and we proceeded to order some drinks and a meal for our son so he could eat before we ordered our meals. Soon after the drinks and my sons meal arrived my friends wife returned with their daughter in her pushchair. This was the point where everything went massively downhill. My friends were met with what can only be described as hostility and complete disrespect by the senior member of staff on duty. They were told they could not take the pushchair up to the table as it was a 'health & safety risk'. The only way they could go to the table was to take their unwell and sleeping daughter out and sit her up in a high chair. Obviously this was far from ideal and my friends actually did their best to compromise and suggest we all sit at a vacant table near the window at the bottom of the restaurant. This was instantly rejected as the table was apparently reserved. At no point did any member of staff including the senior member make any suggestions to help us or offer some kind of solution and generally be professional and respectful. At this point my wife tried to reason with the staff but was met, yet again, with a negative no can do attitude. We also spoke with other members of staff to try and understand their reasoning for this. One said it was to do with space, another to do with the risk of spilling hot food or drink, which apparently doesn't happen if you're in a chair, etc. To clarify, there was plenty of space, there was zero risk of anything being tripped over as the pram would have been tucked behind a wooden partition, but unfortunately we weren't even given a chance to try. The irony of the whole situation was that at no point during my wife booking the table over the phone was she told that prams weren't allowed next to tables but not only that, the staff reserved the table knowing their would be two young children (the clue is in the high chairs positioned by the table) next to the door by the kitchen. Needless to say we left before even having a sip of our drinks or my son having anything to eat. This was very embarrassing for my wife as she had sung the praises of this restaurant. For the record, Petite Delights were more than happy to accommodate us in a busy restaurant and allowed us to bring the pram next to our table. No 'health and safety' banding member of staff in sight... Common sense prevailed.