'Do not abuse our staff' - Lancashire garden centre issues statement after 'sad' end to Bank Holiday
Garden centre bosses are making a stand after tearoom staff were verbally abused - and they have been backed by scores of customers.
Bosses at a Lancashire garden centre say they will not tolerate verbal abuse of staff, after an incident in their tea room.
Daisy Clough Garden Centre near Scorton say customers will be asked to leave immediately if there is a repeat of behaviour which took place on Monday, following the tearoom’s closure an hour earlier than anticipated.
A statement on social media said: “A very sad note to finish what would otherwise have been a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend. Today our team experienced verbal abuse from customers.
“This is a garden centre tearoom, and so I find it hard to comprehend that I am even having to write this. From today, anyone who feels it is acceptable to treat our staff in such a way will not be served and will be asked to leave, immediately.”
It continued: “We deeply apologise for any inconvenience that our customers experienced today when we were forced to close the kitchen an hour earlier than planned, and we are thankful for the understanding most of you showed. Luckily for us, 99 per cent of our customers are wonderful, kind people who we enjoy seeing, getting to know and serving. For us, behaviour like this really is rare. Which, sadly I realise is not the case for many areas of hospitality.
“Hospitality is an industry spread very thin, these people work tirelessly, long days, late nights, weekends and bank holidays so that others can enjoy family days out, date nights, catch ups with friends and holidays!
“Sometimes things go wrong, sometimes we’re short staffed, some times we run out of things. I appreciate it can be frustrating, but in no circumstance do the hard working staff deserve to be abused for it.
“Hospitality staff literally work for others enjoyment, please have understanding, please remember to be kind, and please show patience, always. Because no one who is working to help or serve you deserves less than that.”
Support
More than 130 customers have backed the statement with messages of support, claiming the staff at Daisy Clough are known for their hard work and friendliness.
One person said: “Thats awful to hear that people could treat your staff like that. We have always had good food and kind service from your staff when we have visited.”