"This is the second time I’ve been to this place recently. Last time was pretty awful, but I thought, they probably had a bad day. No, I was right the first time it’s bang average. I do not normally slag off small local businesses. But! You’re greeted by two miserable, unsmiling women. I asked for a decaffeinated coffee and a doughnut to have in their seating area. Now I assume it’s a bakery with a cafe, the bakery being the main part of the business. By the way, all the bread on the shelves, looked rather plain and unappetising. It did not entice me to buy any. The coffee is put into a takeaway cup and the doughnut into a paper bag. One of the miserable women was in the process of putting a plastic lid on my coffee, so I said, “no need”, “I’m drinking it here” pointing to their very unwelcoming cafe. “It’s easier to carry” she grunted. So I sat down to eat a very dry doughnut that had no jam in, but what looked like jam spread on the outside. Too be fair, the coffee was ok. I suppose they must be doing ok, it quite a big village. Perhaps it’s like having a captive audience. Surely someone could get hold of this place and, well, make it nice! As I drove away, towards Sherfield on London, I passed a convenience store on the left, outside was a Warburtons lorry delivering bread, rolls, crumpets etc. I thought, I can see why they don’t buy from the local bakery. This afternoon I’ve been to the bakehouse in Old Basing. The difference is staggering. One million times better."
