Dobbies Garden Centres Reviews 32,058

Awful place, if you like waiting, and then waiting some more then this place is for you!

Morgan,Calum and Debra helped me today smiling and happy creating a happy atmosphere.
Great selection of beautiful plants instore and outside.Plant area looking well stocked and so tidy Diane and Mallgochata looking after all the plants .A huge range of small mini plug plants inside all so beautiful set out .

Charge for a phone call 7p a minute what a rip off.

Awful service in bury st Ed’s cafe. Waited ages then when I ordered a drink with vanilla she exclaimed “ what in a flat white?!” Asked for butter on jacket potato she said well it comes with that on the side, no butter anywhere. Whilst waiting at table took a phone call and jacket arrived with a rude interruption . Poor meal and terrible customer service was spoken to like I was a number not a customer. Will never go again.

We had breakfast here for 2 adults and a 3 yr old child. It was £32. The food came out and it was cold. The baked beans looked like they had been cooked to death and were all mushy. None of us ended eating the food hardly. A member of staff approached us and told us we shouldn’t have asked for gluten free toast as it’s a separate part of the menu. We will not be coming back again

I ordered two cherry , an apricot, cobnut and walnut. Most looked healthy, but the walnut looks dead, no green anywhere. The walnut was not cheap and I am very disappointed. I was going to order more plants, but probably won't now.

Arrived at 14:20 for a coffee and cream scone, the 2 for 1 offer on the scones doesn't start until 14:00, but there was only one scone left, we asked if they were bringing any more out, to be told that was it, but we could have one of the cheaper (no cream/jam) instead, neither me or my partner fancied that option so ask for one of the other cakes instead, but were told it would not be on the offer. We decided to ask for the manager, as we felt 20mins was a bit poor to run out of (clearly) a popular dessert! The manager although polite had numerous opportunities to come to some kind of compromise, but unfortunately nothing was forthcoming and neither was a valid excuse!
When regular customers give you the option to put something right, you have the opportunity to gain a great sense of loyalty or in this case turn a disappointed regular away! We normally have a look around the centre after our drink and dessert and buy something else far more than we don't, but neither my partner and myself feel like rerurning or renewing our membership

The Heritage afternoon tea, The staff were very helpful and understanding.I couldn't have asked for more,I accidentally arrived on the wrong day with my daughter and granddaughter, We were meant to arrive on the Sunday,but they were fantastic and managed to fit us in so a massive thank you to Paula,and her team.from Amanda Presland.

What a Wonderful Afternoon Tea with a church group of 14 . The Table was set and looked so lovely and inviting offering delicious sandwiches with very generous fillings, scones and cakes were yummy and a refreshing lemon mousse was very good too.
The staff and Manageress were excellent very attentive , very professional and our orders for drinks came promptly . We all had such a wonderful time and would certainly recommend this event to friends and family . Well done to you all and Thank you so much .

I received a birthday card from Dobbies as I do every year last year I was told you didn't get a slice of cake and a free hot drink for me and a friend you only get a biscuit? only on the card it clearly shows a piece of cake. so this year I went for my "free birthday treat" again couldn't have it because this time I didn't have the card with me??? I thought I would of came up on my dobbies card??? but no it doesn't so once again I had to pay for my "free" birthday cake it's a bit of a joke tho??? I do go occasionally to meet with friends who also have a Dobbies card and if I were to go every month it would be worth it

I must admit it's been a while since I visited Dobbies restaurant for food. But I fondly remember the great hot food at fair prices - particularly the breakfast.
Well today I thought I'd treat myself as it's pay day and took myself over for some food. I was utterly disappointed, indeed disgusted, at what was on offer. Cold, overcooked meats Inc sausages and bacon and breads that had obviously been sitting for quite some time along with dried scrambled egg and dried out, days old beans in a pot. I asked that my breakfast be prepared fresh and I was willing to wait. Well 20 minutes later I was presented with exactly what I'd seen on the open counter. I asked for a full refund and was very begrudgingly given one. Never ever will I be back to this once thriving business and restaurant. It's a real shame it has been allowed to fall into such low standards. The store itself was empty and half the floorspace had nothing on it but empty racks. How sad. Do not go here. It's a shell of its former glory and that shows in that it was practically empty and lifeless

I found that Elisa was quite rude when I asked to fix my salad. She gave me dressing when I didn’t ask for it and I could be allergic.
Shrugged her shoulders and rolled eyes!

Wish I’d checked the reviews before ordering and travelling to it. Really is poorly run and in need of overhaul.
We had a click and collect order. They charged us for the items but when we got there they didn’t have them despite confirming they were ready for collection via email. Apparently they gave them to someone else in error. Not too surprising given all the orders were just piled up in a trolley by the tills.
Whilst I can accept mistakes happen the Customer service from Dobbies central team and then finally the garden centre themselves was really poor afterwards and after a couple of weeks of getting nowhere I’ve had to charge it back via my card provider to get my money back.
We definitely won’t use Dobbies again. The reviews are pretty accurate for this one judging by our experience.

A Sunday drive out and a stop in at Dobies, Carlisle. Appreciate its after Xmas (Jan 25th) and stock change over is in progress. Decided to have a little lunch at restaurant, which actually looked closed as most of the hot food counters were empty and no lights on. Not at all inviting. Only one member of staff serving this area. If you wanted Sunday lunch you were sorted. Only other options on show were a scone, or cakes, the displays were so untidy. Yes there were options on the menu, a toasties, a sandwich, but the wait for this was unreasonable. Teapots were dirty, and its self service with milk jug sitting out of any refrigerated unit. Tea cups were dirty, and only 4 on the stand. This needs seriously managed, it could be a wee gold mine for food. You only have to look at your competitors and see how busy they are. Come on Dobies don't destroy what was once a great garden centre/restaurant.

I called in at Dobbies Garden Centre near Dorchester yesterday with my friends and as well as the staff in the cafe being very friendly, Angie at the till on the way out was very helpful and told me how to take care of my plant. She was great fun and we all got a hug. Thank you Angie.

Had a nice hot coffee and a scone in Dobbies Gillingham today.
Dan & Michael were serving, they are always friendly and chatty.
Well done boys 😊

Sunday lunch today was not edible beef I could not cut the portion they served vegetables were cold . Did tell a number of staff no
Apology was given to me

The place was very grim indeed!

Only came for a cup of tea with my husband, cup was filthy, teapot was filthy! I noticed this when I sat down and lifted the lid to stir the tea.

The place is always leaking, dripping, and in a bad way.

It’s never a great experience when visiting!

The shop floor looks greatly neglected, cleanliness an issue all around the shop.

With such a premium they charge for all the items, you would think that basic upkeep would be something they can accomplish, for the most part you can source what they sell cheaper online or in other local stores like home&bargain, you can have better tea/coffee in a Starbucks or Costa and better food in a cleaner place, even tobys is cleaner.

They have competition all around them, doing what they do better/ cleaner or cheaper so you would think running something that stood out would be a priority but the place has no USP.

Royston is my local Dobbies and I pop in all the time as it’s on my way home from work - and actually spend quite lot of money with them. They have clearly invested a lot in the shop over the last year, however I have a massive issue with the appalling customer service. A couple staff are good, but the vast majority treat you with complete distain (like even your existence is spoiling their day) and some are just outright rude. This isn’t just one off, this is a common occurrence. I’m sorry Dobbies, there are plenty of other garden centres in the area, I can choose where I spend my money and I’m fed up with this. Whoever is in charge of the Royston branch needs to take a long look at what is happening!

A poor experience trying to deal with their customer service team to resolve a membership issue. Repeatedly told me I was not a member when they had taken payment. Then blamed a 'store error', Customer Services Manager was charmless.