marstons.co.uk

Chalkhill Blue

Chalkhill Blue - Andover - The food was excellent but such poor training on disabilities and allergies.We booked nearly a week in advanced and requested a quieter table due to severe hearing issues. We also informed them of a dairy allergy. On arrival a reminded the host and he assured me that we were given the quietest table (they had not even tried!). On mentioning the allergy it was “I only have a gluten free menu but the information is on the website’. We were seated next to the bar and door to the kitchen which was open all the time. The table next to ours was a staff dumping ground for their drinks, bags and even a baby at one stage (though the parents then went into a back private area. During the evening we had ice buckets being filled, cocktails being mixed, coffee steam machines working, kitchen noise and finally the manager using the staff table counting out coins from the till tray and dropping them into a bowl of some sorts. I decided to check out other areas of the restaurant to see if we were seated in a quieter area, and two areas were certainly quiet with another the same levels of noise or a little less where we were sat. We were going to stay for another drink but when the lady started coin counting we paid and departed. I mentioned to our host who I paid at the bar and his comments were “I’m sorry I will pass this on”. Surely the manager could have come across and spoken to me. Yes pubs are not noise free but there are ways to help customers. Disability training is required here and I will pass this on so that others can learn from this poor experience. Overall the food was fantastic and service fast but staff could be a little more friendly. Wow the girl who served us just did not want to be at work.Thanks though to the chef for fantastic food. His food was better than some 3 and 4 star hotels. A credit to Marston’s.

Date of experience: Nov 06, 2025