Going back to 10 June 2023, when my friends Ross, Liam and I went for a little Staffordshire expedition, this was our visit to the Poste of Stone that I’ve realised I didn’t write about. So as a treat, here it is, only three years late.
As usual, I’ll use the chain’s own text about the history of the pub’s name, although it’s one of the shortest that I’ve seen:
“The pub is a former post office. Stone had its own postmaster as early as 1575, when the official in question was William Nicholson, described as ‘The Poste of Stone’.”
Some decoration near the entrance and it opened as a pub in 2002.
The real ale selection and the usual slightly illogical pricing from the chain.
The keg selection.
I didn’t write any comments on Untappd about this at the time, although it looks a little under-poured to me. Anyway, it’s Ricky’s Ox Dropper from Uttoxeter Brewing Company. I can also see Ross was in his tea mode at the time, which is very Ross and possibly the most emotionally stable drink choice available in any Wetherspoon
The obligatory carpet photo, which wasn’t obligatory in my photo albums in 2023, but I like the design and the link to it being a Post Office in the past.
Anyway, as usual, I feel the need to have a little look at the venue’s reviews and they’re towards the higher end of the average for the chain. There aren’t very many negative reviews though which limits my excitement a little.
“Ordered an ice cream for my child. It arrived with no sauce. This was stated on the desert menu. I questioned the waiter however was told it was made clear at the till when I ordered. No it was not. I explained whatever is stated on the menu should be delivered. My child was upset that it was only plain ice cream. Regardless of cost, the waiter continued to explain that it’s company policy that sometimes the kitchen runs out and doesn’t need to state it. Why wasn’t this explained initially? The desert was only £1.99. Not even an apology. Obviously the customer is always wrong, so thank you for nothing.”
I’m with the customer on this one. The child should have had their chocolate sauce. Civilisation depends on small agreements, and one of them is that if sauce is promised to a child, sauce should appear. Otherwise we are just animals with laminated menus.
“Awful customer service, my friend was refused a drink because he couldn’t spell the word remember – this is not fair on the neurodiverse. I was then refused a drink for standing up against the cause. We shan’t be silenced anymore! The uprising has begun. 0 stars is a blessing as they can’t pour a pint of ale either.”
I’ve never had to do a spelling test in a JD Wetherspoon pub…. Although I wouldn’t oppose them being introduced.
“The pub classics steak pudding was as small as a chip shop suit pudding with a very poor filling of slop.”
As a side issue, I’m surprised that they continue with that steak pudding, I know I have it a lot when it’s £6 including a drink, but it’s not a very decadent meal and it seems to get more complaints than anything since the Sunday roasts.
“Cheap food with infants serving”
I’m with the pub. There was more to this rant, but what a way to write about people….
“I was waiting 10 minutes to be served, it was my turn and no one was at the bar when Duty Manager was finishing serving a customer. He decided to serve someone who just arrived at the bar. When I said I was next he said I would not be served today. Awful experience. I been to over 400 spoons and never had an experience like it.”
I’ve been to over 400 JD Wetherspoon venues but the easiest way is to use the app….. Or, alternatively, get a blog and complain about slow service there, where the staff cannot refuse you service because they have wisely remained unaware of your existence. Telling bar staff they are incompetent may not always produce the desired hospitality outcome, even if one has an extensive pub-visiting CV.
“Absolutely disgusted to find there were NO salt sachets available.”
I hope that people prayed for the customer and their well-being.
I was disappointed not to find any reviews complaining that dogs weren’t permitted.
Anyway, I recall that the pub felt welcoming, clean and organised, but that the visit to Stone was all about the Titanic pub in the town…. Unfortunately, that’s about the limit to what I can remember, although I do know that Bill Cash (who had been the MP for the town for four decades) announced that he was standing down the day that we were there. I decided that I’d take credit for that as although it might not have been connected to our visit, history is so often about interpretation…