Starbucks in East Dorset

They are getting a lot of bad reviews because of the parking fines for being a customer. I have just received a Parking Charge notice, stating I did not obtain a 'permit'. Why did the staff not inform me I needed one?

1st time visit on june 2024 on our way from Derby to Holton Heath. Parked ok and in a blue badge. Place was quite empty so got a seat ok. Coffees were very nice and much needed. Staff were not customer focussed, no hello or thankyou, too busy on phones

Use this place for a pitstop everytime on my way through from London, and it's always superb. Staff are always friendly, and the food & drink is good. Lovely decor, comfortable seating areas and the toilets are always clean. Great accessibility for those required it, too.

I’d like to start this review by saying how shocked I am to see the amount of people about parking! It couldn’t be any better signposted. Clearly some poor drivers on the road these days. The day of my visit I had an awful day, wanted to clear my head by enjoying a decent coffee. This Starbucks did not fail my mission. I was served by a lovely lady, who kindly recommended a beauty of a coffee (caramel macchiato). I then proceeded to sit by a lovely lit fire, surrounded by nothing but clean tables. This is exactly how I would love every visit to any hospitality setting to be. My server today was ‘G’, couldn’t fault her friendliness. Didn’t want to forget to mention her name, as she needs a raise Asap! Anyway, well done Starbucks team. I will most definitely be returning.

Myself and a friend pulled into the drive through for a cookies and cream frappachino each today (18/3/2024), and honestly we’re greeted by the loveliest and most friendly young woman! Couldn’t fault her at all! Didn’t catch her name, but she had glasses and dark hair.

The staff excel in ignoring their customers. Being stood in front of the till whilst a member of staff chatted to her colleague gave me time to reflect on my planned order and my life choices! No eye contact or "I will be with you in a minute". They just carried on chatting. In fact this is the 2nd Sunday afternoon in a row where the staff have seemed disinterested and talked about customers through their headsets without realising that other customers can hear. In all honesty its really not nice. On another occasion I have heard them mocking a drive thru customer. I have been in this Starbucks multiple times when its not busy, and the tables aren't cleared. The only good thing is that the coffee shop is quiet - this is understandable given the lack of friendliness. Please train your staff to be friendly and professional - and take their headsets away until they can use them properly.

Starbucks prices are incredibly expensive and represent extremely poor value & quality for what you actually receive. It wouldn’t be unfair to describe all cakes & biscuits as well as all beverages as a rip off. This branch in St Leonard’s is cold & impersonal, the parking charges levelled at customers outstaying their 60 minute limit to receive a huge £100 fine is absolutely outrageous (Starbucks don’t reply to feedback as they don’t care)

Love this store. Come here with my wife and friends all the time. The staff who work here are allways very nice, hospitable and warm. It’s definitely a premium price, however I allways receive a premium service and premium product. I was shocked to see such a low rating, however the negetive comments are all about parking, what a shame! Parking signs are clearly signposted all throughout the car park and anyone who can’t see them shouldn’t be allowed on the road! You’re adults, take responsibility for your own actions and don’t take it out on the staff! Would love to see more positive reviews from the majority who receive a good experience to show our appreciation, and not just adult-children who got a fine due to carelessness! Before writing a bad review solely on parking think again on the effects this will have on the staff. This store is allways clean to the upmost standard and love sitting by the fireplace. Great work team and thank you allways! Mark and sue! X

Agree with all the comments re parking. signs are scarce on the way - one twisted away from traffic flow and none along the hedge where most people park. Plenty plastered along the fence on the way out - but it’s too late by then!!! PS coffee/service for sit in is poor and most tables were uncleaned and stayed so throughout our visit. Avoid this Starbucks unless desperate

Parking fine for staying less than 2 hours with a friend and her young child. No obvious signage and no obvious information inside. Can see I am not the only one to fall foul. AVOID.

I won’t be returning and I have just received a car parking fine in THEIR car park for £100 because I stayed just over the 60 minutes having a coffee and a catch up with my sister in law. It’s absolutely outrageous. People won’t want to come to this star bucks if they have to clock watch in your own car park.

Parking fine £100 x2 as we had two car with family for lunch , was just short of two hours and spent over £70 on food and drink. This is really bad.

We were charged £100 parking fine for being over 1.5 hours. We did not see any sign saying that we would be fined if we went over this time. Totally disgusted with this.

Avoid like the plague. I overstayed 10 minutes and got a £100 parking charge which may be legal but is opportunistic and excessive - just plain greedy. It's difficult to say whether the source of this greed is Starbucks or some third party out for easy cash but I won't be going back.

Dreadful service with staff trying at all costs to paper cups to drink in, this is not the only Starbucks I’ve visited with the same protocol. The barista then poured the contents of the cup into a mug once asked, leaving me with a less than impressive coffee. Place could do with some new staff members with better customer service skills.

This is a convenient location for coffee in an afternoon. Coffee was excellent, cake choice poor. Staff rude, and lovely cafe had not been cleaned properly. Also parking enforcement is over zealous. I wish decent companies would not use the money grabbing companies to enforce parking. A colleague and I were 5 minutes over the time - fine received. No reason for fine as there were plenty of spaces. Get it right Starbucks and please don't use companies like this to enforce your parking. My colleague and I will not be partaking of this cafe until there are new parking rules. Very disappointed, the staff told us it wouldn't be necessary...

Lovely Starbucks but the staff were unwelcoming, rude and unfriendly. Sat in the car as there was such an awful atmosphere in the restaurant. Other people were sat outside. Empty inside. Sort your staff out Starbucks. Bunch of young girls who clearly didn’t want to be there and didn’t want any customers going in either!!! I was also overcharged!

On many levels.. So many people have mentioned the rude staff & the dirty cups & rubbish left on the tables. Never seen any of the staff lift a finger to clean up. Very little respect for customers. Nice decor, the rest of it leaves a sour taste

Professional and friendly staff. Could be friendlier but they are youngsters working hard in a busy coffee shop / drive through... Pleasant open seating area completely spoilt by really loud beeping machines. I have anxiety issues and listening to a cacophony of alarms, which noone appears to have time to deal with, does not make Starbucks a good experience. Hence the 2 star review. Without the unpleasant, loud beeping I would have said 4 stars. I would like to enjoy a coffee in peace. If you would too then use the drive through or sit in your car in the car park.

A long drive through wait and would not accept cash payment. The server could have been more plesant / polite in her manner. Not a great experiance.

Too cold to sit in no heating best just do a driving through only. I can understand, but if you don't for wish people to sit in don't open the doors.

My partner ordered through Uber Eats, they charged for items that were not delivered, advertised phone number does not work.

Best thing about this location is the friendly and helpful staff. Overall it has a nice atmosphere, lots of space with various seating options, light and airy feel and big enough so you don't feel like everyone is on top of each other, lots of...

We met some friends here the other week as it was between where we live. The place itself is ok, quieter than other places so we stayed and caught up. What we din't realise is a week later we got a PCN notice for a...

I should have posted this poor review two weeks ago after receiving mediocre service from the bored-looking staff and being served a lukewarm rather than a "hot" chocolate. However, what would have been a 2-star review then is now further downgraded as I have since...

Ordered a skinny late with extra shot of coffee in the drive thru this morning and waited a while for it to arrive - so much so I turned my engine off to save fuel…! Once it did arrive I then payed £4.45!! Witch is rather expensive, but happy to pay… The coffee that was presented then had coffee stains down the side of the cup! Yes it is a minor inconvenience but shows no care or attention to detail and at that price requires it!!

A friend wanted to go to the St Leonards branch and we were not much over 1.5 hours . 2 weeks later received a parking fine of £60 ( £100 if not paid within 14 days) I tried to ring Starbucks but the number is...

Until now I had avoided this store (not a Starbucks fan generally) but I popped in this week and was really pleasantly surprised! It’s a really nice building, calm atmosphere and the staff are just lovely. Their attention to detail cheered up my day, thank...

It's a tough life being a dog and it had been a very long drive, so I was so pleased when I heard the metal box indicate, turn and slow down. I was made to feel so welcome, as were my humans. They settled down...

I visited this drive though with my husband, during lockdown and sometimes stop off for coffee now on occasions when Visiting family in Ringwood. We always come at the right time, as there is no other cars waiting, apart from a few times but very...

So glad this branch is back open! Always stop here on my journey from Swanage to Winchester even though it means do round and back on myself to get in but always worth it!! Thank you

We drove through and ordered x2 large skinny latte to take away. I usually visit this drive through 1-2 times per week and It is usually excellent. Very disappointed today. One was Almost cold and the other was barely warm. I tried to call the...

My friends and I have visited here a few times recently and the service has always been amazing. Today there was a mishap with my drink and the girls dealt with it so well and were just so nice! I work at a costa and...

Ordered a matcha green tea latte and a caramel latte, got the order wrong initially and gave me too hot drinks when the matcha green tea is a cold drink on ice, so they then apologised and gave another but when I got home I...

Warm and Friendly environment to enjoy a drink. Plentily of seating, tidy and clean. Friendly staff. If you staying for a long visit - register your car for free for extra parking time. There are plenty of signs reminding you to do this.

Interesting how people make complaints about parking when the signs are very visible and an iPad at the till to remind you! During a pandemic the drive thru has been even busier yet still people complain then choose to go in and complain some more...

Ordinary shop. Parking time limit not obvious at all, it's a trap. You need to inform customers better as you are losing them. Look at other reviews. Farewell thieves.

Parking situation a complete rip off and little to warn customers of the restrictions and poor outside signage. A£60 parking fine leaves sour taste and a vow never to visit again as very disappointed Starbucks continues to support this treatment for unsuspecting customers will spread the word

Stopped by to kill time whilst waiting for a flight at Bournemouth airport. Opted to drink in, didn’t feel particularly welcoming, I appreciate the reason for the doors being open but it made the room really cold as the wind was whipping through. At least 3 people handled our cups whilst our drinks were prepared, not ideal in the current circumstances. My tea was dreadful, way too much milk which made it beyond salvation. Hot chocolate however was good. I don’t think I would return.

We only ever use the drive-through. The service is quick the staff are friendly and the drinks are as expected Starbucks standard. Starbucks always a little bit pricey but sometimes they’re worth it when you just need a pick me up. However don’t like paper straws so always need a spare one which they’re always happy to give me.

i went threw the drive thru last saturday 27the june and asked this young male if i could pay for my drinks individually with my starbucks card as that is what i always do was told i cannot use it they dont allow it i asked then to speak with a manager a manager did not come the young male came back and told me if i use my card to buy three drinks it would be commiting fraud!!!! ive been goin to starbucks for more years than i can remember this is hideous i then drove away and went to fleetsbridge starbucks who is owned by the same franchise of st leonards and asked them the samemthey served me politely and with no trouble what so ever so i shall be making a complaint to head office about this i drove along way to that starbucks and then obviously had to drive further as i promised my young teen grandaughter and grandson a drink absolutley furious no customer service what so ever

We’re regulars and always have lush coffee during our road trips. The staff are polite, clear and enthusiastic! I recommend!

A nice stop off and on the face of it, this Starbucks is modern and relaxing. However, when sitting enjoying your coffee it soon becomes clear that this place is filthy. There are often dirty cups etc on the tables, tables aren't wiped and the floor is terrible. The toilets are usually quite grubby, and the flush doesn't work well. Such a shame. Staff are also very untidily dressed. Parking instructions are actually very clear...just put your reg in the Ipad. Please keep the fire on too!!

Was a regular customer as good coffee. Horrid day so first had a coffee then had a teacake.Surprised I then got a fine for 60, but would be 100 if went over two weeks being paid.Absolute joke as carpark sinage is not clear and no where to put your numberplate in and prove you were in Starbucks. Tried to call Starbucks customer service. On hold for ages then cut off. Very unhappy customer. Gutted as everyone knows me here and I never leave the car and wander off not that there is anywhere to go.Catch the real culprits who park here and don't even enter inside Starbucks

be aware that this starbucks do not own the car park therefore car park is operated by a private company - I met a colleague for a business meeting and ended up with a fine - the sign should state clearly that even if you are a starbucks customer you cannot stay longer then 1.5 hours without being fined. Starbucks should have an obligation to make customers aware of the draconian parking situation - no wonder the place was empty

Generally poor (only reason I go there is because my daughters like their drinks) regularly over charged - always have take-away and they try to charge me for have-in. Manager - Jamie with red hair and beard particularly - is pretty bad has terrible attitude and referred to me as “she” when answering staff member serving me, when asked a question. If I could persuade my daughters to go somewhere else I would.

On our way home from holiday we called into this Starbucks to break up the journey.There are numerous signs warning that if you overstay the car park and don’t register with Starbucks then there is a fine of £100.We were only going in for a quick coffee so were not concerned.We found a table and ordered at the counter. Staff were friendly enough and made our drinks efficiently.The coffees were fine and a reasonable size for the price.They have a reasonable selection of cakes and sandwiches although we didn’t eat any food this time.Would be happy to return but would certainly heed the warning not to over stay the car park as the fine is horrendous. Not sure why they need to impose this draconian measure when the place is on a dual carriageway and not near shops?

A group of us arranged to meet here because of the convenient location.While there the staff had a loud argument, shouting and slamming the doors storming in and then coming back to shout some more.After three hours we finished our meeting and left, each of us had parking tickets.£100 for a coffee and cake...... avoid.Bad atmosphere bad service and rip off carp park

They never have the drink I want to order/ no eggnog syrup over the Xmas holidays!! Tried for a third time and they had no milk!!! Jesus a coffee shop without milk. Useless.

Looks a really nice relaxing Starbucks & that’s where the good ends , the staff are loud as they chat amongst there selves making so much noise behind the counter laughing hysterically! So it was hardly a relaxing place to have a coffee & a bite to eat . The food was heated up in the microwave quickly , but the coffee took a while as they were busy chatting & messing around .Starbucks you need to re train your staff in correct behaviour at work .

My wife went here to meet some friends for a relaxing pre Xmas catch up, had 2 or 3 coffees each and a good catch up. THEN a few days later we got a parking fine for overstaying, overstaying?. 3 coffees is half an hour each which is hardly dragging ones heals. Phoned them and they claim they do not own the car park so can’t do anything about it. WE WILL NEVER GO IN A STARBUCKS EVER AGAIN. It’s Costa or an independent for me from now on but certainly not a Starbucks. Customer service 0.and the coffees and the service were nothing to shout about

Starbucks should be ashamed of themselves! Grumpy and rude staff. Long faces. Low moral. Useless manageress. Dreadful loos: unclean, no loo roll, no soap, taps not working. Served the wrong coffee then got grumpy when I sent it back. Truly awful experience.

So there are three toilets. One is permanently occupied (maybe it's broken), one has no handtowels and one has no running water from the washbasin. This is a First World country, please?I can remember slower service, but not right now, and when our food had been heated she couldn't find us. There were about six other people in there and so I perfectly understand. Sorry if this reads like sarcasm.

Coffee was all good but almost every table had discarded food and empty cups, we had no choice but to sit at an uncleared table which doesn’t enamour me to return.

Didn't use the Drive Thro , walked in and ordered 6 drinks . V slow service didn't seem to have enough staff to deal with a small number of orders . When I got home I noticed that one drink didn't have any coffee in it , interesting idea .. Drove back and got a replacement . Next day visited and ordered again but very slow service .

Great service. Fast. Super friendly and welcomed our dog inside when so hot outside. Nice fire for the chilli days, great coffee and they were lovely to the dog. THANK YOU

I went there for a coffee with my friend, stay there most of the morning, payed cash and left the receipt on the table . When I went to pay no one said anything about the car park and because was late to meet my friend I didn’t noticed that I could park only for 90 minutes And plus I am not English and did not pay attention on the signs . Two weeks later I had a parking ticket and I went back there to complain about it and the member of staff recommended me NOT TO PAY and to appeal and it should be fine . I did and they didn’t care and charge me £140.00 !! I think that is disrespectful because they have cameras there and I asked for the CCTV and they keep saying to me only appeal and should be fine and it wasn’t!!! I I live in St Leonards and I work from home and I don’t need to park my car there unless if I go the for a coffee. I am so disappointed with the way the situation was handled and with the lack of respect the Starbucks staff has for their clients. I will never in my life going to have one coffee in that disgusting place !!!

We needed an early morning cup of coffee - hotel wasn't awake so we ended up at the Starbucks. Good staff, really well laid out coffee place.

I regularly visit for meetings. This occasion 10 mins over the 90 which I didn’t know about £100 fine

Good service, lots of relaxing seats, warm fire, problem very limited parking. Seem to be concentrating on Drive through service.

Really slow service and not the coffee I ordered. I would suggest driving past as this Starbucks is below standard.

Now why can't all coffee shops be like this one.It's clean, spacious, inviting in the winter with a lovely open fireplace and long bench tables if you want to visit with a group of friends.The staff are helpful. We visited just before closing on Boxing Day, and they were still pleased to see us. Even if they really wanted to go home, they certainly didn't show it.I can recommend this Starbucks, even though I prefer the coffee at Costa.Well done for being hospitable.

Coffee stop on way home ... wish we hadn’t bothered. Uncleared tables and stained furniture. Miserable staff with no warm welcome, eye contact or any effort to communicate beyond taking the orders. So many flies landing on cups, surfaces and spilt liquids ... gross! Incorrect orders & unhappy customers .... will not be returning.

Do not drink at STARBUCKS, I was fined £100 ($130USD) for parking for 2:15mins in their own car park because they were slow serving drinks and lunch. My friend and I met there for coffee and lunch, as often used to do, We were encouraged to stay longer and have another drink only to be fined for over staying the car parking by 15mins. I visited the store and they said appeal the fine, I did this, the parking company refused the appeal as they only care about getting money and just threatened me with charging more and taking me to court.

Called in again for coffee. A staff member was wandering around with a spray cleaner and cloth as though that was the last thing she wanted to be doing and only wiped one of the many dirty tables. The armchairs need a good scrub as they are sticky and really badly stained. I love Starbucks coffee but this visit has really put me off going there again. The upside is that the staff are really nice, it is a shame the place looks so uncared for.

To be fair I’m not a lover of chain coffee shops however this one is poor, just doesn’t work , it has no good vibes to it a bit dismal really plenty of parking and if it’s a business. Meeting on the road probably perfect but for a good catch up with friends I’d give it a miss

Usual Starbucks, clean, nice cakes and good coffee. The staff were always pleasant and professional.

Called information a quick coffee! 30mins later we were still waiting .did not bother to return there again.went to the hostelr y over the roadg

I used to love Starbucks. This restaurant ought to be amazing. I suspect the owners of this restaurant thought that too. But it has absolutely no soul. I am normally really good at figuring out what makes a place rock. But this one, I just don't know, and I am a serial coffee shop visitor, with at least 4 visits a week under my belt.We do not go to a coffee shop because we are thirsty. It is a treat. It is for a little 'me time', so comfort is paramount. The chairs at St Leonards are just too corporate, like the chairs you get in the reception of a major city business. So this is not an easy fix. If anyone at Starbucks reads this, then sneek up to Costa in Verwood (in disguise as they probably know who you are) and just buy a couple of chairs like theirs. You will not have to look hard to spot the ones I mean.Finally, I like my coffee served hot, not luke warm. St Leonards Starbucks just fails everytime to get it right. So, whilst I am not necessarily a Costa fan (see my other reviews), I find myself visiting Costa in Verwood rather than Starbucks, even though I live closer to Starbucks. St Leonards Starbucks has actually managed to create the most clinical version of Starbucks ever. Sorry, but I am not even sure it is possible to fix it. Cars whizzing by just makes it feel like a sales reps watering hole.So, if you are a Sales Rep en-route to your next mark then you are probably going to love this place. It has giant tables, perfect for your business chats etc. But if you want a nice coffee shop destination, then you may love it, but I wonder if you will find yourself wanting to go back again and again.

I go to this Starbucks quite often as I like the coffee, but recently there are some new staff who are not as good as their predecessors - my order has been wrong the last two or three times, and the wait is rather long these days as the drive thru gets priority. The fire was not working in this cold weather and it was freezing in there!! Lets hope they read these reviews and do something about it.....

@StarbucksUK as a community nurse for the NHS , I often meet my colleagues in your St Leonards shop for meetings and enjoy your coffee. Sadly no more after receiving a £100 fine for parking over the 90minutes allowed. After taking advice from your staff the appeal was rejected

I go into this one regularly and it is lovely inside, with a real fire! But the service is woeful and the slowest ever, especially on the drive thru.., come on, get organised and managed properly and you could be great

Not impressed very poor service and the drive through gets the priority if you want to sit in and have your drinks then you wait longer than you should

We always use ''tis Starbucks at the start of our Dorset breaks, it is clean, has a good variety of food and an abundance of seating. It is a drive thru so they can get a bit busy.One downside is trying to leave the car park can be a bit hair raising as the A31 is a fast flowing road and traffic doesn't slow down for you, but don't let that put you off.

Third visit, guess I don't like Starbucks There coffee just tastes wrong But this time milk tasted like it was turning

Feeling thirsty and needing a quick coffee I waited in the queue patiently to be met with a rude lady telling me "we are to busy hurry up and go round again" as I said "sorry I don't understand" She began getting even more angry with me.At this point I decided to give up and leave.Awful place never again what happened to the nice smallIndependent places!!

Had a chai tea latte which was barely warm. Unpleasant. Not much of a cake selection. Staff were friendly enough though.

Coffee, tea and sandwiches were great but the tables, chairs and floors needed a very good clean. Staff were not pleased to be asked even though the place was not busy. Won't be returning there in a hurry.