Starbuck's in Forest Heath

Stopped off at the Exning Starbucks 4 members of staff all chatting to a friend visiting the store. I was given a Half cup of Caramel macchiato. Which I immediately refused! Was made another one and told the froth just hadn’t settled!!! Had luxury toast to go When opened only 1 small sachet of jam and no butter between 2 slices. Hardly luxury. Staff more interested in chatting with friends than serving customers!!

Stopped here for a quick coffee while driving along the A14. I’m surprised by the number of negative reviews for the place, I didn’t think it was that bad. Service was fine, maybe a bit slow. It was clean and tidy, including the toilets. Only complaint was the coffee was a bit bitter for my taste but no more so than other Starbucks.

Every time I go to the Newmarket Starbucks they have no cinnamon syrup And I have to take my custom elsewhere to get my coffees and it’s looking like I’m going to start going to Costa to get my coffee on a more permanent basis as Starbucks is falling to provide me with what I want and the staff don’t care about losing business

We had a quick lunch-stop but we were really appalled at what we found. The cafe was surprisingly half-empty on a busy day on the roads. Staff at the counter were really lack-a-daisyical; chilling, drinking, chatting playing with their hair and it took some time just to get their attention... we were the only people at the counter. The sarnie-shelves were virtually empty... the condiments station was virtually empty and was filthy... but a member of staff standing there drinking just didn't seem to be bothered. We were the only people at the counter, there were three staff behind the counter but not a single one did anything about making our coffees until we reminded them for the second time. Tables inside desperately needed a wipe down. The male toilet was foul; toilet paper on the floor of the cubicles, no soap in dispenser, one of the two sinks was blocked with what looked like vomit. We ate outside after having well covered our hands with jell! Sarnies.... bread was dry, filling was miniscule and it required a forensic approach to finding the pickle... the coffee was weak, tasteless and bitter. Little cakes were fine. Almost £20 for the experience. Never, but never will we use that "cafe to go" again... presumably the posh motor with the personalises number plate outside relating to "Cafe" was present... if so... just a hope.

Greeted with a smile, friendly and helpful staff. The facilities and servery were clean with a good selection of sandwiches and treats

Abrupt unfriendly staff, will not come here again or any Starbucks for that matter. When I asked a staff member why they were unhappy she said because they under staffed. Management take note

The car park was a field of litter, and the tables filthy. Bins were overflowing both in the cafe and toilets also there was no loo paper The sanitary bins in the ladies also needed emptying. Coffee was much needed and good, but overall experience dreadful

Dirty toilets, Dirty Cafe, 3 members of staff on duty, none of which were clearing or cleaning tables or checking toilets. I recommend you avoid this branch of Starbucks

This place is disgusting! The queues for coffee etc were crazy because of such disorganization. The tables and floor were filthy and the coffee cold. The toilets were horrific, no paper, sinks taped over, blocked and the stench is awful. Needs investigating and shutting down!

We arrived for a quick coffee but doubt if we will return. The car park signage is useless, and the car park area is covered in litter The store itself is poorly managed but the staff are trying their best The toilets however are disgusting

Definitely one of the worst Starbucks ever been to. Dirty, erratically run and an empty station of sugars, hand towels and no chocolate sprinkles. lol. The toilets in this facility are shocking.

Worst public toilets I’ve even seen, clearly not been cleaned in a long while, if at all. Mens toilets are usually quite bad but these were awful, had to wade through puddles to get to a cubicle where the toilet doesn’t flush. Grotty

We broke the journey to get a coffee and have a wee. Sorry, loos aren't working, said the sign inside, shoved in a mop bucket and blocking the entrance to the loos. Funnily enough, my wallet wasn't going to work either... so no coffee. Depressing, down-at-heel, bleak, like something out of a Hopper painting, but without the charm.

Dirty all round, toilets terrible with no paper and hand dryer inop, went on a winters day and wished I'd not left my scarf and coat in the car as seemed no heating whatsoever

Seems to be a few negative reviews but I have no idea why? I asked if there’s any brewed coffee and they apologised and explained they close in 20 minutes and I find this perfectly acceptable. I was also informed that means it was takeaway only, again that’s fine. They all want to get home instead of hanging around unpaid for someone who wants to drink a brewed coffee. So I enjoyed a great cappuccino on my drive home and found whole beans at 50% off.

A break in a journey required a pit stop , this fulfilled that function. Service was on the slow side , but it was clean and the final product was as expected from a Starbucks. Gourmet it aint

Staff were unhelpful, moaning about there jobs and so slow. My wife got a cup of tea from Greggs next door and had nearly finished it before I'd got my coffee! I don't think Starbucks care or even read these terrible reviews or they would shake up this lot!

Long queues dirty toilets no hand satiniser slow staff luke warm coffee the place seems as if no one cares. Worse Starbucks I have ever been to.

Must be the worst Starbucks in the country shocking service, unfriendly staff, unclean, one to avoid at all costs

The only coffee stop on our journey but this place is absolutely disgusting. The restrooms are outrageously filthy especially at a time when everything should be spotlessly clean.When I mentioned this to an assistant she merely shrugged her shoulders and said there were only 2 people on duty and they didn't have time to clean as well as make coffee.

I had nipped in for a coffee generally a soya latte , just tasted of flavoured water disgusting, being infuriated by it I turned round and headed for the opposite Starbucks and demanded a refund left the vile drink on the side, seriously gone downhill there big time and seeing as it’s not cheap I’m not standing for sub standard drinks, won’t be returning!

One of not many stops on the A14. I couldn’t believe my eyes especially when we are going through a pandemic. It wasn’t busy with 4 members of staff stood waiting. Tables and floor were disgusting along with the toilets that were filthy. Toilet paper everywhere, empty toilet rolls on the floor and hand dryers not working.

A dirty cluttered restaurant full of used crockery, upturned chairs, unhelpful staff. We cleared a table as none were cleanLuke warm flat white coffees and dried up almond croissants. The toilets were disgusting, dirty floors, unflushed with loo roll all over the floor but none in the holderI don’t think we will be coming back

One of not many rest stops on the A14 which allows them to make no effort. Toilets were filthy. Over priced coffee and cakes. I with that we had gone into Greg’s which is next door.

This place is absolutely disgusting. rude staff apart from one young man, ordered a medium frap and got a large which meant i had paid for this which i did not ask for, cakes are dry and horrible. i also had a plate snatched out of my hand by a blonde young girl, very bloody rude!!! toilets are absolutely disgusting also.avoid this terrible place.

If you want to wait for ever for 3 coffees, eat dry bread sandwiches and soggy toast this is the place for you. But, be warned, it’s filthy! Food all over the floor, chairs and tables which obviously hadn’t been cleaned for days! Starbucks you make a fortune ...employ a cleaner! Toilets not much better. Disgusting.

Filthy and not swept in days. Tables and chairs also filthy. Staff standing around talking and making no attempt to do anything. Male toilets very smelly. Avoid.

I was very disappointed with my visit today. Seemed like a busy service station yet only 2 ladies working behind the kiosk. So long wait for the order to be taken. That wasn’t the issue. We ordered cranberry and Brie roll and cheese and marmite roll toasted. Hot chocolate and expresso. The queue was long in front at least 10 mins no names taken so orders were just left on sides no one knew what was going on. When we got near the end we noticed or rolls had been chucked in bags and been sitting there for ages. Sweaty and getting cold. Drink we’re still another 10 mins away ended up eating them at the end of the collection bar. Very bad time management and Service slow and sloppy. Not impressed.

This place was awful. I have never stopped here before, but decided to take a break whilst I was in a business trip. The tables were littered with used cups and plates, and the men’s toilet floor was covered with urine. It was not busy when I stopped, so why no members of staff had not cleared the tables and cleaned the toilets, is beyond me. This restaurant needs new management as it it clearly does not value it’s customers and their hygiene expectations.

We popped into the eastbound Starbuck’s on Sunday for a quick break and it was a quick break! We were served by what appeared to be a dislocated team who really weren’t performing as perhaps they should. Whilst the actual coffee was ok we weren’t exactly made to feel welcome. It was interesting to watch the interaction between the staff and we were left with the distinct impression they were not working as a team because there was no banter between them. It was as if they didn’t really want to be there! On leaving I went to the toilet and it absolutely stank of urine - quite clearly it had not been inspected or cleaned for ages - please see image. Starbucks are expensive but the overall service is third rate - no wonder they are ranked in 4th place in the UK out of home beverage market.

The place stank of urine as you enter, men’s and ladies toilets dirty and unclean. Food thrown on the back counter put me off eating and dirty cups and stuff all over the place... just disgusting. AVOID AVOID AVOID

Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Always a warm welcome Good coffee too. Comfortable sanctuary on long trip.

Came here after a long day of work, absolutely starving since I hadn’t eaten since morning, the staff were very sympathetic, they threw in a free chocolate muffin with my tuna melt and coffee 😍

This site internally and externally was the most disgusting state I have ever seen. The toilet was filthy, sink and floor hideous. The outside looked like a tip - no one had cleared up - although I do think the customers should clear their own rubbish!

Long queue for coffee, shelves poorly stocked, accepting cash only. Have visited here before whilst travelling but this was the worst.

This relates to the eastbound branch. When we visited, mid-afternoon, few of the tables were occupied, but quite a number had not been cleared. There was a long queue to order and it moved very slowly. By the time that it moved forward enough for us to see the counter we realised that there was little food available and that and the general awfulness of the place made us decide to leave.

Possibly the worst Starbucks I ever visited- dirty toilets, empty fridges, bitter coffee and a collection of flies that would be better trained as in store entertainment...... Wild Bean cafe 10 yards further on in future I’m afraid.

It has been several years since we last visited this branch, and after a recent purchase of a Strawberry Donut Frappuccino from another Starbuck's franchise, we stopped in to sample the treat again. The service was a little slow, but they were training in one member of staff. That said the drinks were produced well, and were tasty. There was an issue of finding seating however. This is not to say it was packed - it wasn't. The issue was that a large portion of the tables had not been bused. I had to clear away and wipe a table myself in order to have a soft seat. The disabled toilet was also a concern for my wife. It was reasonably clean, but the lock mechanism was loose and could have been opened from the outside. Final analysis - Good drinks, fairly good service, needs a bit more facilities care.

On first impressions, the outside area was filthy, rubbish strewn across the patio, full nappy bags included.

Visited on Saturday 18th May. It was a cold wet day so we called in here for a coffee. The place was deserted and bitterly cold inside. As you entered the toilets the smell was putrid and wondered why this was allowed in an establishment serving food. We drank our coffees and left to purchase something to eat next door.

Service was fine but the floor was covered in debris - food and paper. The smell from the men’s toilet hit you as you walked in all in all not somewhere I would stop at again or recommend

Ok, so I've been here a few times, and it seems to always be the same. Dirty tables, covered in used cups, plates ect. On this occasion, 3 customers, but 9 tables full of dirty pots, and this has been like this for over an hour. In the mean time, the 3 staff, who have no one to serve stand chatting about themselves, with no thought of doing anything. It really is a dreadful place, especially given it is one of the most expensive to rub salt in the wounds.

This place needs an overhaul or an unannounced visit from Food Standards. I actually am a glutton for punishment as I often stop here, but only as it is a convenient stop on my regular journey.

Once again, filthy place, the toilets are smelly, absolutely disgusting! Urine all over the floor. Just like services used to be I won’t be going back. I tried it again, my last visit last summer was awash with flies around the food area. I expect more from Starbucks. Steve

Tables not clean or cleared. Girl puts her fingers in coffee cups when writing order details. Advert shows range of sandwiches, but shelves have one lonely wrap and not a single sandwich at 1:33pm. Not impressed and I wish we’d gone elsewhere.

Im not going to tip toe around. I use starbucks everyday for my CRF, literally £5 a day is expensive but the drink soooooo nice. I stopped at this starbucks on the way to the race circuit, the toilets are dirty & smell, the staff were rude & over weight & when i asked for a CRF i had the staff girl look at me all confused as she should know starbucks codes for coffees. They then told me it was done and i always have a sip before i leave ... im Glad i did! Because it wasnt a CRF lol i went back to the manager lady who insisted it was so i told her to try it ... ... to her surprise it WASNT .. ( i know my coffee’s ) god knows what she put in it, it almost tasted like aniseed !! ....

This venue is a disgrace! The outside area is completely rubbish strewn with all bins overflowing, advertising boards on the floor, the windows filthy! Both the Ladies toilet and the Baby Changing facility were “Closed” and the gents were smelly and grubby. With all other recent reviewers seeming to say the same thing, the management (if there is any) obviously don’t care! With signage inside espousing their environmental credentials, one can also only assume the company do not understand the meaning of “a sustainable environment”!

We travel regularly west along the A14 stopping at the Starbucks/Subway concession, the staff are friendly but no one seems to be responsible for basic hygiene! The toilets are blocked with doors which don’t lock and bins are overflowing- I guess that since this doesn’t appear to effect trade things won’t change. How is the hygiene rating judged?

Visited both N&s; of A14. Both car parks bins overflowing and litter everywhere. Why can’t the bins be emptied and the car park tidied?

Visited this Starbucks going and coming back from London (on the A14, simply because they are the only available ones in that vicinity).

Visiting the area earlier this week and stopped over here early morning for a drink.

I have visited this site for over 15 years and always enjoyed the original Little Chef especially for breakfast. Had second trip today since Starbucks took it over and had to leave immediately. The men’s loo was filthy and smelt worse. The plastic bucket under the left hand urinal had the most unpleasant yellow green liquid that had dripped from a serious leak in the porcelain. The right hand urinal had an equally unpleasant puddle across the floor. This place is a health hazard and should be closed. Ironically the coffee shop looked clean and attractive.....but who would go there after experiencing the men’s loos?

I did not even order drinks- the whole place is dirty and the toilets are smelly dirty - water and toilet paper all over the floor and on the toilet rim - disgusting ☹️ Obviously had not been cleaned for a long time.

Visiting the area earlier this week and stopped over here early morning for a drink. Coffee and bites were OK.....but toilets were not up to standard. Car park was lousy with too much litter present.....the effects of having a Subway next door!!

Stopped here for drink lunch, toilets filthy and smelly (better off peeing in field behind) tables not cleared or wiped and unswept.

Travelling from Cambridge to Ipswich Eastbound, called in for a quick snack and had a choice of Gregs or Starbucks. Should have gone to Gregs. The food at Starbucks was ok but what a depressing décor. Black floor, tables and chairs and very low lighting. No wonder there were only half a dozen people in there, I couldn't wait to get out into the light even though it was a rainy day. How about some colour please ???? even the easy chairs were a dark dull green. Staff ok but were keen to serve our drinks and then have a chat between themselves.

So badly managed just a complete mess also when you're paying these sort of prices for a cup of coffee watch let's be honest is very overpriced you expect your cup to be full and it never is

In my way to Cambridge with a friend. We stopped to grab a coffee and wow... it was nearly empty but every table was filthy!

Site Direction East A14 Cambridge

Visited Starbucks about 3 pm to find it empty and uninviting, tables turned over where one the assistants had been mopping the whole floor!! Had a coffee used the ladies ,washed my hands only to find the dryer didn’t work no towel alternative.

Ladies toilets extremely dirty. Full of toilet roll on the floor. Floor wet. Very dusty. Smelly.

A depressing title to a review, but there it is... a good drink, friendly staff and spacious seated area. In theory a good stopping point as you head west on the A14... except for the state of the toilets.

The place is clean and tidy, the staff are professional and friendly. There is a good selection of food and drink available. It is well located off a busy main road. I will come again

This Starbucks is really suffering from being understaffed and the toilets being so over used

Filthy ladies and gents loos, Lots of flies. Very grubby loling throughout. Needs closing down for a deep clean.

Vile coffee, flies everywhere, dirty and slow service. I asked for an Americano with milk on the side. The barista just slopped a whole lot of milk into very weak coffee. Didn’t risk the toilets. Avoid if you can. My husband had a cup of tea which was ok.

On first impressions this is a good stop however when we were queuing to order noticed many many flies on the order boards. The ladies there were lovely and helpful. The Starbucks needs a thoroughly deep clean. There were cigarette butts in the toilets that were very old, along with no toilet paper. As I passed the gents, the smell of urine was overpowering. Sitting on the chairs, we were greeted by more blue bottles. Management need to visit and organise a deep clean. This is a Health and Safety issue and should be reported.

Infested with beetles - walking around the floor ! Dead ones everywhere too ! Disgusting !!! Toilets are dirty , tissue paper still in the toilet and left all over the sinks !

A welcome sight on the A14 going West. Having seen some other reviews have to say, in part justified, in part not in my experience. Food was ok (though staff didn't actually recognise their own products leading to confusion re toasted snacks), cafe & toilets were clean. But it was virtually empty yet people everywhere waiting for hot drinks/ snacks & only two members of staff in evidence. They were apologetic but basically seems to have to do too many things at once. After a while some more appeared & the queues vanished. Outside car park was overflowing and peope were using the electric charging point just to park

Stopped at the westbound site and I assume that both East and westbound are covered by this location.

Service slow 20 minutes to be served! Flies everywhere, grime on floor and surfaces, tables not cleared. Too few staff. Avoid avoid avoid! We were hungry and decided to give it another chance, to quote Carlsberg “probably the worst coffee shop in the world”

Stopped here for a coffee and comfort break; probably the worst toilets I’ve seen in the UK, not cleaned for some time, days! Leaking urinals too, this made me focus on the store itself, quite new, quite grubby! Sorry Starbucks, this one’s failed you!!

Totally dreadful! Filthy dirty, especially the loos. We stopped here two days running, and the same smeary (revolting) dirt was on the same loo both days, so obviously there had been no attempt to clean them. Also, no loo paper & the hand dryer doesn’t work.

Have stopped off before here for coffee on the way home, when using this part of the A14.

This is on the eastbound A14. After 5pm and it is struggling badly. Uncleared tables, lack of stock. Staff are incredibly pleasant and helpful, but clearly in despair. Broken disabled toilet as well. Thank goodness not many people are stopping. Has anyone ever stopped at those lovely French roadside cafés? Desperation for a toilet and a break made me stop. Never again. £4 for a microwaved croissant, £3.80 for an iced tea. Starbucks, you should be ashamed. We'll done to the staff though for retaining smiling, if embarrassed, faces.

Popped in for a quick coffee stop. Seating seemed lost in a big dark room. Toilets need a good clean. All needs a good brighten up . Learn some tips from Costa . A kiddies /family area would be an asset.

Didn’t read any reviews until I got my phone out to write one and I’ve only just glanced at the headings of the past few and sadly I have to agree. Service was reasonable enough although no more than that but the place was filthy. Dirty tables, leftovers of spilled drinks on the floor etc.

We stopped because the kids needed the loo.

I waited ages to be served, young guy in point of sale, I asked for a Grande skinny cappuccino paid £3.80 then waited 15 minuets for it to be made.

The Gents toilet was disgusting, the smell was awful, the coffee shop floor wanted sweeping, the bin in the car park was overflowing. Very poor overall.

Overpriced, rude and sullen staff - no atmosphere - not worth stopping for. Go to the Wild Bean Cafe at BP, better value and a smile. Will never use this again.

This former Little Chef (on the west side of the A14, heading NE on the Newmarket by-pass towards the A11 for Norwich) looks very nicely tarted up now as a Starbucks, and I actually enjoy breaking my journey here for a flat white coffee - but the service is dreadful, and the loos simply look neglected. I appreciate that black mat tiles may be difficult to maintain well, but a staff member needs to check the ladies' loo more regularly; on two visits, the hand dryer hasn't worked, and there has been a lot of water on the floor around it - and no hand towels - and scraps of toilet paper on the floor in the loo cubicles. With a mini-queue of, say, 6 people, you could be standing waiting to be served for half-an-hour, especially if you're wanting some heated food - not efficient enough for a road-side coffee stop. I suspect this Starbucks is staffed by local youngsters, whose training hasn't extended to checking loos, or even clearing tables. So please, staff-members, raise a few standards, as I enjoy your coffee and find this branch of Starbucks a convenient place to stop on regular journeys to Norwich.

south side A14 Was very surprised to find an overflowing full dirty toilet bowel very of putting for any restaurant

There are 2 Starbucks on the A14 at Newmarket, 1 on either side of the road. This review concerns the one on the westbound carriageway heading towards Cambridge.

This Starbucks looks like it’s only been open a short while? The decor is fab, with lovely modern furniture etc.

Having only experienced good things from any Starbucks I have previously been in, I was very disappointed with this stop...

Nos hemos parado aquí varias veces para tomar café y comer un bocado. Me parece que sus cappuccinos skinny son expertamente mezclados y sus sándwiches tostados son sólo para mi gusto. Muchas plazas de aparcamiento disponibles y siempre muchas mesas libres y sillas para sentarse...

I stopped here for a coffee on my way to Oxford. Seemed to be more staff waiting to make coffee...

Un buen café espacioso y limpio con wi-fi que permite perros dentro de la entrada principal. Incluso ofrecen un tazón de agua para ellos. Disfrutamos de un tostado y un delgado capuchino Panini ambos eran de buena calidad. Me pareció que el baño era limpio...

Este es el segundo Starbucks que he visitado en una autopista y son terribles. El servicio era muy lento. Restaurante de moda y el café es una porquería.

Travelling back from Ipswich on a busy Sunday afternoon I stopped here and whilst there were only about 4 people waiting to pay I should have taken more notice of the 10 people waiting to collect their drinks. Staff made no mention of the fact that having taken my money for 1 cappuccino I would be waiting 45 minutes for my drink. Totally understaffed. Should inform customers of delay prior to taking money. Still regularly pass but following the above have never stopped again.

I have stopped at this Starbucks outlet a few times and find it very efficient in dealing with the flow one would expect at a roadside cafe. The internal layout is typical of Starbucks as is the good quality, if not a little bitter Starbucks' blend of bean. On my most recent stop in it was for a takeaway order, and the latte was well made and the service quick (even if the name on the side of the cup was misspelled). For a quick rest and something hot to drink, it is a worthwhile pit stop.