Dobbies Garden Centres - Carlisle レビュー 392

A lacklustre so-called 'garden centre's that really looks as if it's on its last legs. It looks unattractive as you drive in; where's the shrubs and trees to suggest they even exist as a garden centre. It's dull, scruffy, boring and extremely tired looking.

Inside you are greeted by dead and dying houseplants. How on earth they are expected to thrive in a cool dry atmosphere is beyond me. Does anyone realise they need humidity?

Ventured into the main plant section outside to see the majority of plants were desperate for water, shriveled, wilted or dead. This place must be losing money hand over fist with the amount of dead stock they must throw away.

The rest of the place lacks originality and creativity in display. When this store first opened it was a really decent place to find interesting items and the plants were well looked after.

I'm sorry but I'm used to visiting Barton Grange nr Preston which is of a standard Dobbies seems unlikely to even dream of achieving.

Shut it down. It must be hemorrhaging money and I don't think it'll be missed. You can find much healthier plants in nearby nurseries.

Today, I was appalled to find the Carlisle branch in such a disgusting state. The restaurant still makes a lovely cup of coffee, the crockery and cutlery spotless, but the restaurant itself was filthy. The wicker chairs had food crumbs sticking to the seats. The tables had not been cleared for hours, congealed food on the plates, they still were not cleared after we finished our coffee. In the corner beside our table, was an arbor on display, it had two hanging baskets hanging off it full of dead brown ivy. There was a huge siders web in the window, and dead flies and bees everywhere. Outside the weeds growing in between the pavers at least 3" tall. An elderly lady with a water spray was watering the plants (including the dead ones). I spoke to several other customers, who agreed with me, that they couldn't believe the amount of dead and dying plants. The poor girl (the only one on the till) deserves a medal, she was run ragged, she called for help, but no one appeared. She could only apologise to us for having to stop serving, while she got the signing in book for a member of staff, they keep away from the till. She was back almost immediately, but another 6 customers, had appeared by then. Despite all these complaints we did however spend over £100, but we will not be going back. I will send for my plants and pots over the internet, as this is an experience that has been most enjoyable in the past, was ruined by lazy people not doing their jobs probably, and not being supervised properly.

Dalston near Carlisle: Terrible food again, fish although in a 'warmer hood' was cold, this was unpleasant and a health risk. Again the shrubs on display were disgusting many of them dead, frosted or deseased, they should not be on display who in their right mind would buy them? This branch should be shut down.

Staff are extremely helpful and supportive

A Sunday drive out and a stop in at Dobies, Carlisle. Appreciate its after Xmas (Jan 25th) and stock change over is in progress. Decided to have a little lunch at restaurant, which actually looked closed as most of the hot food counters were empty and no lights on. Not at all inviting. Only one member of staff serving this area. If you wanted Sunday lunch you were sorted. Only other options on show were a scone, or cakes, the displays were so untidy. Yes there were options on the menu, a toasties, a sandwich, but the wait for this was unreasonable. Teapots were dirty, and its self service with milk jug sitting out of any refrigerated unit. Tea cups were dirty, and only 4 on the stand. This needs seriously managed, it could be a wee gold mine for food. You only have to look at your competitors and see how busy they are. Come on Dobies don't destroy what was once a great garden centre/restaurant.

Having a day out with my dogs at Dobbies garden centre in Carlisle from over the border in Scotland. I found I couldn't go in & order a coffee & lunch as dogs aren't allowed in the queue although there is an area in the restaurant for you to sit with dogs. I emailed the manager asking how I could get around this. He met me in the shop & took my dogs to the seating area whilst I ordered my food. This was great service on his part. It's just a shame that single people are unable to order food without managerial help. I understand this is a Dobbies policy, maybe they could rethink this to be more helpful.

Service in the cafe was terrible, no staff around until member of the public had to go to the kitchens to find someone. Large que of people waiting to be served. Staff rude and disinterested. Not somewhere I will ever go back to or recommend.

Sorry to say this but I don't know if I'll go back to this dobbies especially not to restaurant. I took my coffee and sat near the large windows at the back facing the gardening area. I noticed how dirty everything was. The windows, doors, and the ceiling was thick with cobwebs. It hasn't been properly cleaned since it opened. If they can't see that it needs a full cleaning and regular cleaning it makes me wonder what the kitchen is like

I feel a bit torn, I came here last week and thoroughly enjoyed browsing the plants etc, I thought it would be a lovely place to take my granddaughter for soft play, outdoor play, lunch, the aquarium and of course more browsing. So today I went back with her, I’d pre booked and paid online yet when we arrived the soft play was not manned. Anyone could just walk in, don’t seem to matter how many kids were in. The little cafe in the soft play was neither stocked nor manned so I had to go to the main cafe with her in order to just get a drink. I paid £2.65 for a tiny kids smoothie in a carton. The soft play seating area was filthy, food on the floor, dirty tables. Nevertheless she had a great time. We then went for lunch, I was horrified to have to pay £20.50 for soup and a cheese sandwich (£9.00)a kids chicken nuggets and chips, another smoothie in a carton and a small strawberry tart. We endured the embarrassment of what appeared to be a new member of staff learning to work the til under the angry and impatient eye of an older lady who had zero patience and nothing helpful to impart on the young lad who was just trying to do his best. It was awkward and unprofessional to say the very least. We went for a browse outside and whilst I appreciate yesterday had been windy, there were many many plants that were on their sides, some half out their pots, some damaged most not but it all looked a little unloved and I didn’t see any staff in this area whilst we were there.
Given the extortionate prices in the cafe and for the majority of products within, this is a bit of a poor show Dobbies. It all seemed so different last week when I visited though granted I didn’t visit the restaurant that time.
Your staff seemed unhappy, angry, fed up, pre-occupied, I don’t know, just felt like no one wanted to be there. A big company such as yourselves should do better. The outside space for kids is fantastic, the soft play could be fantastic, it could be a great place to spend an afternoon.

I will not be returning. Over priced tasteless food. £6.25 for half a cheese sandwich which was dry and hard pack of quavers, a capri sun juice,for a 1 year old. Two baguettes tasteless with a bit of lettuce also ?coleslaw i think . Dirty cups and cutlery.

On Visiting dobbies we had wanted refreshments went to get a cup of tea no cups,Visiting dobbies we had wanted refreshments went to get a cup of tea no cups no teapots no one to ask except the lady on the till who did go and get me some cups and I asked for the teapots she said there wasn’t any!! Couldn’t believe it my son wanted a festive baguette which cost £10 all it had in turkey and pigs in blankets and then by the time he got it it was stone cold absolute disgusting !! Don’t usually complain, but it was so bad

We visited Dobbies today as it was the last day of the latest 20% off everything promotion.
Even though they were lots of posters advertising this in all corners of the store you had to read the small print. It excluded all food and drink. So many of their Christmas gifts e g. Toffees, biscuits, chocolates, chutneys, jams etc were full price. Very
misleading. People were going to the checkout and finding the promotion didn't apply to many of the items they were buying even though the offer was proudly displayed in every section of the store.
I won't be renewing my club plus card.

Back again for a nice coffee. Lovely service of kat/kath didn't catch it properly, older lady who serves you. Was nice to see the girl in who I left a review about last time to, such a pretty, lovely girl who works so hard, some of the other younger ones should take note a smile goes a long way. The older man with the hair net on not the nice tall older one, the other older one needs to smile more instead of always looking angry ( you dont see much of him ) The manager is nice to even when she looks stressed she always gives us a smile.

Staff were friendly and helpful. I easily found what I was looking for.

The staff were very helpful.

I got everything I needed and then enjoyed a coffee

We were able to find everything we were looking for. Prices are very reasonable.

We were extremely disappointed with Dobbies Carlisle today. The young girl who was clearing tables was very slow and although she had a cleaning spray it wasn’t used on any of the tables or chairs. Also she put three high hairs back where they’re kept and I could see they were covered in mess and stick finger marks. Surely they should be sprayed down also? Some tables were left with crumbs and mess on them. People were using napkins to try to clean the tables themselves. The floor was littered with food under the tables also. Our coffees and scones were also awful. Thank goodness we didn’t pay for them.

Helpful staff, great restaurant, good range of products.