The Potting Shed in South Tyneside

A visit to the Potting Shed is a disappointing experience if you expect any decent customer service. Staff were miserable and unhelpful. We chose our table but it had not been cleared like quite a few others and although one or two waiting staff were around no one came to clear. Eventually I spoke to the waitress and asked for the table to be cleared who replied curtly she would get to it shortly. Eventually she cleared the tables on either side of us which were unoccupied then eventually she cleared ours with no apology. The coffee shop was not busy but we waited 20 mins for a cup of coffee that was slopped over the cup into the saucer and a slice of cake still no apology for the wait or service. Not going back.

Booked for Father’s Day lunch. Received a call a week before to ask to move to South Shields football club as they had another venue and were offered a football themed Father’s Day experience. Received another phone call a few days later to ask if we would mind moving our booking to the potting shed. I said that’s where I’d originally booked and they had no idea, but they’d not managed to get enough bookings for the football club so moved us back to the potting shed. The food was very nice, the service was atrocious. Due to the booking mix up we were offered free welcome drinks and free dessert which was a nice gesture. The bill was still pricey for three dinners and a small dinner (£65). Staff were mainly disinterested and we waited a long time for our food. Table booking was 1pm and we finished at 3.50pm. General consensus was food was nice and we would return but definitely wouldn’t book for a special occasion.

I bought gift voucher for Father’s Day and my parents went today for afternoon tea very much expecting the same as had on previous occasions, given the price you are only allowed a small Prosecco or pot of tea (not both as had on previous occassions) pastry was so tough it couldn’t be bit into and quiche filling tasteless. No fillings provided for the scones (they had to go and ask for some along with cutlery). They were disappointed and wouldn’t return and I certainly wouldn’t purchase any further vouchers.

I’ve been to the Potting Shed before and returned because the food was good, even with the usual patchy service. I was astonished at the eyewatering hike in the menu prices . Restaurant prices in a coffee shop. Ordered a fried brie and beetroot salad (£9.95). Sandwiches come with fries and a salad garnish (they’re approaching £15 in some cases). Ordered tea which came with dirty cups and chipped saucers. When salad arrived it was salad leaves and three pieces of fried Brie (see pic). The brie was really tasty, the salad too- but for that price it should be. There were no knives available to use and one had to be brought. Won’t be back.

Arrived just after 11.30 on a bank holiday Monday. It wasn’t busy. We sat down. Chose what we wanted - from the main menu as breakfast finishes at 11.30 then went to order. I asked to order food and drinks after giving table number. Girl serving said which menu are you ordering from? I said main menu - she very bluntly pointed out that it wasn’t 12pm yet (main menu starts at 12) meaning half hour where you can’t order anything apart from scone or cake. I asked if we could order anyway and just have it served after 12? No - our till doesn’t let us enter anything before 12. Okaaaayyy so we ordered our drinks which took 20mins to arrive. Same girl delivered the drinks and seemed really put out at having to be there on a bank holiday. Drinks were dumped in the middle of the table - no smile, no thank you, no enjoy. We then went back up bang on 12 to order food. 25mins later it arrived and was disappointing at best - £10 for a baked potato with cheese. £11 for a sandwich with a handful of frozen chips. Breakfasts looked nice and seemed like better value. I’d have given this feedback at the time should any of the staff had come to ask if we were ok (but they didn’t) anyway - distinctly average food. Odd ordering policy and lacklustre staff. Shame when you’re in a privileged position of people wanting to pay for what you offer. It won’t last.

Visited the garden centre.Went for lunch, tea,coffee and a soft drink. Had ordered food and waited over half an hour. A waitress came and asked if we had had a scone,we said we still had no food. Scone finally came out but still no other food,I asked a member of staff and she went to chase it up. A few minutes later the food finally came out but we had no drinks left. As well as this the food cost almost £35. Extortionate prices for what you recieve! Will not be visiting again!

We visited for a festive lunch after seeing some pictures of the Sunday lunches on the Facebook page. Unfortunately the photos are quite misleading. The festive Turkey dinner was very small and arrived with no trimmings bar the vegetables which came with it. Plates with Yorkshire pudding wraps arrived with stuffing but no stuffing on the Turkey dinner which was strange. I paid for extra pigs in blankets (£2.95 for one sausage with bacon wrapped around it) and extra gravy which did not appear unless it was the extra drizzle on my plate. Service was very slow, 45 minute wait after ordering at the bar. Tables were sticky, didn’t seem to be dirty so may need to be revarnished. The table we were given was uneven, so much so, one of the drinks slid right off it onto the floor, the chair and my clothing. The drink was replaced. All in all not a great experience, expensive for what we received.

Lovely Sunday lunch. Big portions and all 4 of us thought was very tasty. Staff couldn't do enough for you. Lovely surroundings. Also the seasonal lattes were delicious

Staff are very rude and their behaviour are pretty nonsense .i think they dont have minimum education.

The menu is VERY deceiving you need a magnifying glass to read that your Breakfast Sandwich won’t have more than ONE item in!!!…My friend got two breakfast sandwiches, one coffee and a glass of Coke £21.60!!!!….DISGUSTING!!! We complained and the girl explained that we could either have bacon sausage OR egg!! Well why not call it A BACON SANDWICH, A SAUSAGE SANDWICH OR AN EGG SANDWICH. A BREAKFAST SANDWICH IMPLIES YOUR GETTING A BREAKFAST ie more than one item!!! So the girl brought the receipt over gave it to my friend and said you can only have one not all…THEN proceeded to WALK AWAY from my friend whilst she was still speaking to her!!!…..THE HEIGHT OF IGNORANCE! Anyway my BREAKFAST SANDWICH was vile Practically raw chewy bacon my friend had asked hers to be burnt to a crisp!!! FOOD AWFUL STAFF RUDE DEFINITELY WON’T BE GOING BACK

This is great coffee shop and serves GREAT FOOD and snacks. However the front of house set up needs attention. Ordered coffee and cheese scone it wasn't particularly busy 11am Saturday. Waited for 20 minutes after coffee arrived before deciding to ask where my scone was. When I did get it it was fine but had no coffee left to go with it. There are no table talkers to explain where to get your cutlery and condiments. I didn't see any reason why staff at front could not warm up scone whilst making coffee or hand out cutlery on ordering . It's a great place but needs attention out front. As I was leaving I went to visit the ladies toilet which were not clean and had no paper. 2 staff members had been in and obviously neither bothered to report the toilets needed cleaning.They should be checked regularly. This may seem like a rant but on my previous visits the food has been great Sunday lunch 10/10 toasties great Please sort out the rest its letting you down !

Called in for coffee here this morning as we were in the garden centre anyway, Nice clean indoor and outdoor seating area. We ordered 2 coffees, glass of milk, 2 cakes and a tub of ice cream. Total cost was £13.80. Cake and coffee were lovely as were the staff. They also sell sandwiches which we will try next time we are in! I would highly recommend if your in the area!