Shopping Guide: Dobbies Garden Centre Braehead
Dobbies Garden Centre: A Shopper's Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Wide Selection: You'll find a large variety of goods, making it easy to find what you're looking for. The location offers a well-stocked environment.
- Variety of Products: Shoppers can expect a wide range of products, including plants, garden supplies, and more.
- Aquarium Area: For aquarium enthusiasts, the fish tank area is a highlight, with a great selection of fish to admire.
- Helpful Staff (Sometimes): You might encounter staff members who are helpful and provide great advice. For example, Alison, the cashier/customer advisor, has been praised for providing excellent advice.
- Dog-Friendly Area: You can bring your dog, with a designated dog-friendly area available in the restaurant (though note the comments below).
- Easy Access: It's easy to get to, and you'll find convenient parking.
- Halloween Display: There's a Halloween display available.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Fly Infestation: Be aware that the cafe area has a significant fly problem. You might encounter numerous flies, landing on tables, seats, food, and drinks, which could cut your visit short. This has been an ongoing issue.
- Poor Restaurant Experience: The restaurant seems to be a major area of concern.
- Unsanitary Conditions: The restaurant suffers from a severe fly infestation, making it unsanitary.
- Poor Food Quality: The food quality can be very low. The soup and sandwich deal at £9.50 has been described as appalling, with the soup tasting like it came from a can and the sandwich having minimal filling. Other negative experiences include a lukewarm, dry roast beef lunch at £14.75. The Goat's cheese and red onion tart was also considered disappointing, consisting mainly of pastry.
- High Prices: The food is overpriced, especially considering the poor quality, with reported above-inflation price increases.
- Dog-Friendly Area Limitations: The dog-friendly area is limited, with the dogs confined to a dark corner with only four tables.
- Poor Plant Care: The garden centre may not always properly care for its plants, with instances of plants lacking water and appearing stressed.
- Hygiene Issues: You might notice hygiene issues, such as flies on uncovered cakes and scones in the coffee shop.
- Customer Service Issues: Staff interaction can be inconsistent.
- Unresponsive Staff: Staff can be inattentive and fail to acknowledge customers.
- Lack of Assistance: You may find a lack of staff available to help or assist. Calling ahead might not yield results as the phone line might constantly ring out.
- High Prices: Prices are on the higher end. Expect to pay £5.50 for a small lemon meringue cake, and £14.75 for a roast beef lunch, among other high price points.
- Allergen Information Issues: The process for obtaining allergen information can be cumbersome, with the allergen list website covered in ads, making it difficult to read.