Gosforth Garden Centre

Shopping at This Location: An Informed Shopper's Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Plant Paradise: You'll find an impressive selection of plants, trees, and shrubs. Plant enthusiasts should dedicate ample time to browse, as the variety is extensive.
• Good Plant Quality & Price: Plants here are well-looked after and cheaper than at Dobbies.
• Variety of Goods: The location offers a range of items beyond plants, including BBQ equipment, outdoor toys, footwear, stationary, clothes, gifts, and garden furniture.
• Improved Restaurant Experience (Sometimes): In certain instances, the restaurant can provide a positive experience. Some visitors have reported improved efficiency, with quicker order handling and table clearing. Positive experiences with certain staff members and the quality of food, like roast beef carvery, pigs in blankets, and Yorkshire puddings, have been noted. The cafe has also had a nice makeover and looks good.
• Friendly Staff (Sometimes): You can expect friendly and kind customer service from staff, especially after management intervention.
• Carvery with Potential: If you're in the mood for a carvery, the location *can* deliver.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Inconsistent Restaurant Quality: Be aware that the restaurant quality is highly variable. Several reviews highlight issues like cold food, undercooked items, and poor food quality (dry, tasteless food, burnt ciabattas, rotten salad). You may have to send food back.
• Poor Customer Service: Many reviews point to subpar customer service. Some staff can be rude, unhelpful, dismissive, and apathetic. Some staff seem like they are "on a power trip". There have been reports of unfriendly staff who don't seem to care.
• Restaurant Issues:
  • Limited Menu & Overpriced: The menu may be limited, and prices can be high. £9 for a sandwich and £3 for a bottle of oasis is noted.
  • Slow Service: Expect potential delays, such as a 35-minute wait for a sandwich.
  • Cleanliness Problems: You'll find filthy conditions, with uncleaned tables, food on the floor, and a general lack of cleanliness in the dining area.
  • Food Quality Concerns: The carvery has been reported to have only gammon as a meat choice, which may be extremely salty. The carvery has been described as poor. Food can be mediocre and tasteless.
  • Cold Food & Drinks: Be prepared for cold food and lukewarm tea/coffee. Cold coffees have been reported.
• Inconvenient Layout: The store's layout is not always user-friendly. The main store is difficult to navigate, with obstructed views and poor signage, which can make it hard to find the tills and the exit.
• Management Issues: Management seems to be lacking. The business may not be on the side of the customer experience.
• Limited Carvery Choices: Be aware that the carvery may have only one meat option (gammon) and the veg may be ok but not amazing.
• Voucher Redemption Issues: There can be technology problems, such as an unreliable internet connection, making it impossible to redeem vouchers. Staff may refuse vouchers due to this.
• Stock Limitations: The location may have limited stock availability and may not always be able to fulfill orders.
• Overpriced: The food can be overpriced compared to other garden centres.