Pages

Thursday 24 January 2019

Under new management

A cafe we visit occasionally seems to have acquired a new manager. Only a guess because the change isn’t advertised anywhere but the people are different and the cafe is different.

Not so long ago it was a typical cafe serving typically unadventurous cafe drinks and typically unadventurous cafe food. There was nothing particularly wrong with it but nothing particularly right either. The location has some significant advantages such as the view and a big car park, but a significant disadvantage in that it is a little off the beaten track.

Before it changed there were no menus on the table and no clear indication anywhere as to what the menu might be apart from the list of coffees and a few cakes on display. Staff were slow and while not at all unpleasant they seemed faintly surprised that anyone would walk through the door, stroll up to the counter and actually order something. It was clean, new and the coffee was okay but nobody was really trying. 

Until recently.

Now we have menus on the tables, the service is prompt and friendly and if we are going in that direction it is suddenly worthwhile dropping in there. Visually the place hasn’t changed at all apart from the menus. Same decor, same tables, same layout same coffee machine but now the scones are freshly cooked and still warm, the coffee is served with a smile and a comment about the weather but that’s about it as far as the changes go. Apart from the people of course. They have changed. Management – for better or worse it makes a difference.

4 comments:

Sam Vega said...

The cafe in our village is currently awaiting re-opening under new management. It used to be OK - prompt efficient service, and enough variety on the menu to temp vegan weirdos like me in from time to time. It had newspapers, posters, and pleasant furniture. But something was lacking. The couple who ran it were nice enough, but there was something slightly amiss. My best attempt to explain it is that although it was their business, they ran it as though they had to, rather than because of the love of it.

There are signs up in the window saying that re-opening under new management (another husband and wife team) will be delayed while they restore some of the older features of the building uncovered during refurbishment. Such is village life that I find myself occasionally thinking about the place, wondering what it will be like...

A K Haart said...

Sam - I'm sure village life will be enriched if the new team get the atmosphere right. If so then their problem may be people who spend an hour reading the paper over one cup of coffee. We see that in one of our favourite cafes.

wiggiatlarge said...

"If so then their problem may be people who spend an hour reading the paper over one cup of coffee. We see that in one of our favourite cafes."

Jarrolds in Norwich the lovely old upmarket department store has several restaurants and cafes, one in particular is 'infested' with the one cup of coffee brigade who all seem to know one another and stay for hours, why ? because they can and they get free top ups to tea and coffee, not a good business model.

A K Haart said...

Wiggia - it's not a good business model but I can't see how it could be tackled.