To not return to Caffe Nero?

[dontrunwithscissors]

I've generally preferred Caffe Nero over other chain coffee shops. I travel a lot for work so I've been in many stores across the country. They are looking in need of repair, the staff seem eternally pissed off, and for some reason the shops are often cold. Yesterday, I was in a Caffe Nero when the air conditioning started blowing out cold air like it was summer. I (politely) asked the staff twice to increase the temperature, but nothing happened. The tables were covered in dirty dishes. I left earlier than planned as I was sat shivering with my coat on. To top if off, a dog was in there (not a service animal) that kept trying to lick my hand and was nearly tripping other customers up.

Yes, this is a first world problem, but AIBU to think that Caffe Nero needs to pull its socks up?

Yes. They're often very slow too. They take the orders about 5 minutes before they even start making them. Bizarre.

Dh and I are coffee shop afficienados (is that the word?). We have decided that small local independents (one in particular) are the way to go.

I havent been back since I had a coffee that tasted a bit unusual but OK.

The strong coffee must've masked the taste of some pretty off milk and I vomited myself inside out.

I don't think they're as bad as Starbucks who make the worst tea in the world. Tastes like dishwater.

All of them though, have disgusting toilets. Do they ever get cleaned?

Ours is lovely, clean, warm and the staff seem to remember everyone's orders and really get to know the customers.
I much prefer their coffee too (only one shot though) and the shape of their cups.
It's much better than the Starbucks and the two Costas in my town.

No you are not, but you've got to tell them not us. Obviously management in those stores need a little kick up the arse, and in turn the staff do.

I also prefer a good independent, but they aren't always an option. I prefer CN coffee. The staff in my local shop used to be lovely and friendly, but there seems to have been a change. They have also started keeping the shop at a lower temperature. I don't want to sit in a coffee shop wrapped in my coat. That's the clincher for me. My local Costa is now getting ahead--staff are much friendlier and its cosy.

You wouldn't catch me in a Starbucks even if I was dying of thirst

@cranky. I have after this recent canine encounter. I've tweeted and emailed. (I felt particularly pissed off after this last visit). No response as yet.

I know what you mean. Many years ago Cafe Nero was the first chain coffee shop in my hometown and it was awesome. Whenever I go back I've been incredibly disappointed. I actually prefer Starbucks but accept that's a minority view here!

I don't think a drop of off milk would be enough to make someone violently ill would it?!

If you don't like somewhere don't go.

I don't go to Burger King or KFC. Or Pizza Hut if I can help it.

SIL spends most of her life in Cafe Nero. The air-conditioning is probably to try to persuade her to leave.

I live near a large town which has a Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero all within 1 minutes walk of each other. I go to the independent local coffee shop which is also in the same vicinity. Not surprisingly it is very busy whenever I go in. YABU to expect any sort of reasonable service from a chain.

A large latte includes a good amount of milk and could make someone sick.

Local to us, Costa is the cleanest and nicest, but I think that's because we have two fairly newly built ones. I'll happily go into Nero (staff are nice and I like the panettone) but it is looking shabby and so is Starbucks.

We have a fabulous local independent that makes lovely coffee and is really nice inside. The only problem is it is too friendly. The owner knows everyone and tries to chat to you all the time. I don't want a chat, if I have 20 mins to myself I want to sit and have my coffee in silence with a magazine. It's such a shame. So I often go to Costa or Nero just to get left alone.

I don't get the fascination with these chain coffee places, my work colleague goes every lunchtime for a Costa and posts on Fakebook an image "me in Costa xx". I felt like going into Superdrug and posting a picture from there holding a pack of Tena Ladies (mini). That said, I quite enjoyed a Latte in Pret once.

The cold thing is something I find with most coffee shop chains. Where I live there is no need for air conditioning at any time of the year, yet they all usually have air con even in the winter. Sometimes the small independents are better in this respect.

Ours (Hull city centre) is lovely. The best chain coffee in town and warm, efficient staff. They know a lot of regulars by name/order and it feels very inclusive. Unusually for a chain, it really feels like a part of the community, I hear them being particularly nice with some elderly customers (not patronisingly) and it always warms my cockles.
My workplace is often quite frustrating and stressy and I love my rare escapes to Nero.

I like the coffee at Nero best, its far nicer than any other chain IMO, the ones near us are OK temperature and friendly staff so perhaps just your branch? Definitely complain though!

I've never tried cafe nero. I do usually try independents but have been disappointed lately by the quality so I've gone back to Costa - can count on good quality coffee and lovely paninis.

I live in a lovely 'naice' market town where the chain coffee shops are still shite. I don't understand why they can't clear the tables. I also don't understand why they don't clean the tables on the rare occasions they are cleared.

I go to the lovely independents instead.

I think it really depends on the branch. I've seen some really shabby ones, but our local one is fine and the staff are lovely.

Ha. I have refused to go into a cafe Nero for about 8 years now, since I went with my mum who has a severe caffeine intolerance, and they cocked up her order, and when she asked them to remake her a coffee that wouldn't kill her they kicked off about it. So I'm totally in favour of you not going in again! Screw em.

i always find cafe nero horribly under-staffed. Makes service so slow, the staff are miserable because they're under pressure and the tables aren't cleared either quickly or thorougly.

Tappity my coffee-loving DH also prefers Nero's coffee to other chains' offerings. However, like previous posters we tend to go to independent coffee shops - much more of a cosy atmosphere!