Keswick.... possibly the most unwelcoming town in the UK?

RustyRuss

RustyRuss

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We’re staying in a CMC site near Keswick and I’ve been dispatched to collect our traditional Friday night Indian takeaway. I normally have a half in my local whilst awaiting collection when at home. I can’t get in a single pub, won’t even let me use the loo because of COVID f###ing Bollocks! Last week we were in Beaumaris, similar size town, similar number if people (tourists) in it, and no hassle about going into a pub or a shop, no face mask required, just social distancing. I’m seething! Edit, finally got into the George Hotel, the pub is empty but there’s a member of the Stasi at the door turning people away, he’s just told a resident, a resident! that because he’s 10 minutes late he’s missed his table booking for dinner and will have to come back at 9pm!!! I’m voting with my feet next weekend, we’ll be spending our hard earned in Wales. I’m sick of living in a police state where everyone has their own take on “the law”. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!

Russ
 
Doesnt sound good. Just booked 2 weeks in that area next May with a week at the CCC site!
Was in the Cotswolds last week ( Broadway) no such problem there getting a drink or using the facilities.
Know we have to take precautions and be sensible, but some are going way over the top.
 
Friends tent camped near Threlkeld two weeks ago. They'd been to the site before and that's why they chose it. Communal room that contained the fridges/freezers, microwaves and kettle was locked up and they couldn't get in to blow up their airbeds as their pump was 240 volts. After phoning around, they had to drive all the way to Glenridding to get in a pub and couldn't get in anywhere the next night. It rained all weekend so she had a pile of washing on her return, ten minutes after pegging it all out, the washing line broke ! The only good thing about the weekend was that I got a box of craft beer off them for feeding their cat !
 
A group of funsters went out to a tiny shielded scottish island just after lockdown was lifted and we were made more than welcome. Everywhere seemed to have the air table app, sadly not all towns use it.

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We had our honeymoon in Keswick, many many oh many years ago and *Sir and Madam* were expected to dress for dinner, our bridal suite in the hotel had a bath the size of a small swimming pool ( Happy days!) and the whole experience was very formal! We were spoilt but felt a bit out of water being so young! We went back a few years ago and its now the site of the local jobcentre!
 
We’re in Landudno there’s no signs of anything here you don’t have to wear a mask, (although we are when shopping) the pubs require online booking but the cafes are just being careful it’s a different world here.

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Go a bit further to Dumfries and Galloway. Excellent 2 weeks in Ayr and New England Bay. All very friendly Even the Caravan Club Statsi :p
Not done main club sites for a while now but decided not to wild atm. have to say we actually enjoyed the whole experience (y)
 
Fragle said:
Go a bit further to Dumfries and Galloway. Excellent 2 weeks in Ayr and New England Bay. All very friendly Even the Caravan Club Statsi :p
Not done main club sites for a while now but decided not to wild atm. have to say we actually enjoyed the whole experience (y)
Click to expand...
Where did you stay in Ayr, never camped in Ayr, was too close to home.
John goes to Beverley on a wednesday night with a few friends, they have to book a table, but don't need to have a meal, just to get a few pints, most of the hostelries there are the same.
 
Watch out it doesn’t flood, you’ll be kicked off there as well, Keswick is tourist central, foods crap also, unless you know the the places that like to please the locals. The place is bursting at the seems they don’t need to please mr touristy

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RustyRuss said:
We’re staying in a CMC site near Keswick and I’ve been dispatched to collect our traditional Friday night Indian takeaway. I normally have a half in my local whilst awaiting collection when at home. I can’t get in a single pub, won’t even let me use the loo because of COVID f###ing Bollocks! Last week we were in Beaumaris, a similar size town, similar number if people (tourists) in it, and no-hassle about going into a pub or a shop, no face mask required, just social distancing. I’m seething! Edit, finally got into the George Hotel, the pub is empty but there’s a member of the Stasi at the door turning people away, he’s just told a resident, a resident! that because he’s 10 minutes late he’s missed his table booking for dinner and will have to come back at 9 pm!!! I’m voting with my feet next weekend, we’ll be spending our hard-earned in Wales. I’m sick of living in a police state where everyone has their own take on “the law”. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!

Russ
Click to expand...
We were there a few weeks ago and had the same issues, we booked a table in the George for 7 pm on a Friday night and arrived on time only to be told we were half an hour late and instead of our allocated time of 1:45 mins we now had 1:15mins. I asked the chap to check the bookings for the following week as the lady who took my booking at the doorway had mistakingly booked us on the wrong date but with the correct time and I had to correct her, and he still insisted he needed the table at that time even though it wasn't our fault.
Reluctantly we took it as we had nowhere else to go and like you we couldn't just turn up at a pub or restaurant.... then while we were eating our meal he came over with his tail between his legs saying we could stay for a few hours as the following booking had canceled, we didn't.
Not great customer service at all.
On the plus side weather was nice all week and we love Keswick so will go back but not to the George.
 
Langtoftlad said:
My experience same as Mr porky
Perhaps it was the OP's attitude of entitlement?
Everywhere is trying the best they can... and perhaps a half doesn't do it for them on a Friday night with reduced capacity?
[/QUOTE


Hi Langtoftlad, regarding “attitude of entitlement” I categorically fail to see why I have to justify wishing to enter a pub to buy a half or a pint and also having to advise the Stasi knob at the door how long I intend to take to drink it and whether I may want to use the facilities when I’m there, and where I live and what my phone number and email address is and where I’m actually staying in Keswick has anything at all to do with him. It’s a PUB where you go to buy a BEER!! It’s like buying a sandwich in Greggs, a low level, innocuous transaction!!! About 5 years ago I visited an MOD site in Herefordshire to discuss selling some lighting products to them, understandably I booked in advance, 48 hours before I got there, but I wasn’t harassed or made to feel unwelcome or interrogated like a criminal. All I’m looking for is a bit of perspective. If they don’t want me to buy a beer in their establishment just put a sign on the door “Customers not welcome” and have done with it!!! I’m on holiday, I want to contribute to the local economy, but I’m not going to do so if I’m treated like a leper!!!

I’m sorry I’m so angry about this but I think that some places are “throwing the baby out with the bath water” Pubs are public places, where people go to relax and enjoy themselves, making the experience terrifying and interrogative is definitely NOT the way forward in my opinion, the proprietors work in the entertainment/service industry and must have the ability to adopt an attitude of, I guess, “apologetic welcome” not, as I experienced in the entrances of nine pubs before I was finally allowed to buy a half in the tenth, of “F*** off, we’re not interested in your business”

Kathryn wants to go to look round the shops in Keswick tomorrow, over my dead and frozen body as far as I’m concerned.

Whoa!! C-19 has really got to me today. Do you think I’m developing a psychosis?

Cheers!
Russ
Click to expand...
 
We've found that the larger brewery chains have implemented the most stringent covid-19 plan.
Independents & free house treat us more like adults.

Not sure what you've added as there's just a previous poster's post :unsure:
But even the larger brewers' plan is e z to get a long with.
Use their hand sanitiser at the entrance each time you go inside. Once if you're at an inside table & more often if you're seated outside.
They want to know what facilities you'll need so they know if you're diners or just drinkers.
Then contact details for the trace app,
There'll usually be a one way system.
And no drinking at the bar or leaning over.
And another level of control is you can get led to your table by a "host".

Free houses or smaller brewers mostly just hand sanitiser, the bar social distancing & a one way system.
EDIT: Small type
 
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I don't really get the bit about them being the stazi because everywhere wanted people to wear a mask and it being intimidating to ask for contact details. It's normal now to be asked to wear a mask and for details for contact tracing if there's a member of staff who develops covid. If I were in a shop with most not wearing masks I would vote with my feet and go somewhere else likewise pubs not asking contact details.
 
RustyRuss said:
We’re staying in a CMC site near Keswick and I’ve been dispatched to collect our traditional Friday night Indian takeaway. I normally have a half in my local whilst awaiting collection when at home. I can’t get in a single pub, won’t even let me use the loo because of COVID f###ing Bollocks! Last week we were in Beaumaris, similar size town, similar number if people (tourists) in it, and no hassle about going into a pub or a shop, no face mask required, just social distancing. I’m seething! Edit, finally got into the George Hotel, the pub is empty but there’s a member of the Stasi at the door turning people away, he’s just told a resident, a resident! that because he’s 10 minutes late he’s missed his table booking for dinner and will have to come back at 9pm!!! I’m voting with my feet next weekend, we’ll be spending our hard earned in Wales. I’m sick of living in a police state where everyone has their own take on “the law”. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!

Russ
Click to expand...

I think the issue you have is that you are comparing Keswick in England and Beaumaris in Wales

There are different Covid rules in each country - simples🙂
 
In Scotland it is a requirement by the Scottish government for pubs etc to obtain contact details from customers as part of their contact and trace scheme. They are doing what they are required by law.
 
Tip:
Avoid the "Old Keswickian" Fish and chip restaurant on the main street by the tower.
Undoubtedly the worst customer service in the Lakes.
No idea what the food is like, as we never managed to get that far.

A couple of years ago we booked a table for 14 people, which they confirmed, however on arrival they said as it was half term "the booking should not have been taken"

Obviously no other restaurant could seat a large party at short notice, so we all went to Windermere and found a nice pub that managed to feed us all but in shifts of 4 on one table, so it was 9.30pm before the last 4 got supper. The pub did very well out of us as the rest of us as we drank enough to need taxi's back to the site.
 
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RustyRuss said:
Hi Langtoftlad, regarding “attitude of entitlement” I categorically fail to see why I have to justify wishing to enter a pub to buy a half or a pint and also having to advise the Stasi knob at the door how long I intend to take to drink it and whether I may want to use the facilities when I’m there, and where I live and what my phone number and email address is and where I’m actually staying in Keswick has anything at all to do with him. It’s a PUB where you go to buy a BEER!! It’s like buying a sandwich in Greggs, a low level, innocuous transaction!!! About 5 years ago I visited an MOD site in Herefordshire to discuss selling some lighting products to them, understandably I booked in advance, 48 hours before I got there, but I wasn’t harassed or made to feel unwelcome or interrogated like a criminal. All I’m looking for is a bit of perspective. If they don’t want me to buy a beer in their establishment just put a sign on the door “Customers not welcome” and have done with it!!! I’m on holiday, I want to contribute to the local economy, but I’m not going to do so if I’m treated like a leper!!!

I’m sorry I’m so angry about this but I think that some places are “throwing the baby out with the bath water” Pubs are public places, where people go to relax and enjoy themselves, making the experience terrifying and interrogative is definitely NOT the way forward in my opinion, the proprietors work in the entertainment/service industry and must have the ability to adopt an attitude of, I guess, “apologetic welcome” not, as I experienced in the entrances of nine pubs before I was finally allowed to buy a half in the tenth, of “F*** off, we’re not interested in your business”

Kathryn wants to go to look round the shops in Keswick tomorrow, over my dead and frozen body as far as I’m concerned.

Whoa!! C-19 has really got to me today. Do you think I’m developing a psychosis?

Cheers!
Russ
Click to expand...
I think that post tells me all I need to know .
:doh:

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