The Post House in Stafford

[Gadget]

I did feel that perhaps i had judged hastily earlier, but after reading everyone elses experiences i may just stick with it.
I think they have gotten it horribly wrong.
They may well want to keep out the riff raff, fair play to them, but they are alienating most other folk too.
I don't mind paying for something, but i won't pay just to walk through the door when i know i'd get a friendlier and better service elsewhere. And from the reviews so far that could even be McD's lol. If they are holding back and waiting for ''their target market'' they may well be sounding their death knell before the mysterious customers they so desperatly want to attract arrive.
G x

 

[ChrisLewis]

I believe our market is different to The Post House in that we are a hotel attracting visitors from both international & Uk market, but otherwise we solely depend upon our local area/the Borough for the mainstay of our bar and coffee shop business.

Oh & I read the forum for what u say about us

 

[Gramaisc]

Riff raff ... won't pay unless it's bargain prices...

He's not that tight, though i'm fairly sure he still owes me a drink...

Do I?

 

[MarkyD]

Popped in there tonight for a drink, really impressed with how it all looks. Can only hope it picks up for them. It does feel very up market when you walk in, there's also a sense of identity crisis. I'm not entirely sure who they're aiming for. Lots of bouncers about which wasn't off putting at all IMO, they were all smartly dressed and dint have that intimidating air about them like some clubs. Bar staff we're friendly and we'll presented. No complaints really, will be going there more often!

EDIT: Didn't understand why the main entrance was a walk across the main dance floor though. Is there another entrance?

 

[Goldilox]

Does anyone else think they may have done well to heed Wormella's advice?

I can say from experience, it's almost always a good idea to heed her advice!

 

[darben]

I don't agree with the charging keeps 'the riff raff out' charging can be annoying and is more likely to stop people leaving than going in. Take the grapes for example, once you've paid to get in you highly unlikely to walk straight out again, and will stay for a couple of drinks.

The swan has friendly bouncers and doesnt charge and keeps busy.

I get the feeling like others that there is something amiss in the post house, which I think could easily be fixed, it would be a crying shame if it went wrong.

Like I always felt chambers could have done a lot better if they had ditched most of those jumble sale pictures from the walls and put the menus on the table.

 

[My Name is URL]

I believe our market is different to The Post House in that we are a hotel attracting visitors from both international & Uk market, but otherwise we solely depend upon our local area/the Borough for the mainstay of our bar and coffee shop business.

Oh & I read the forum for what u say about us

Is this Chris Lewis as in The Lewis Partnership....?!?

Either way, welcome to the forum... The Swan is my favourite place in Stafford for an evening drink No stupid door charges (that I have ever seen anyway) and it seems to attract a nice crowd.

Never gotten round to eating with you yet but maybe one day...

 

[Admin]

I believe our market is different to The Post House in that we are a hotel attracting visitors from both international & Uk market, but otherwise we solely depend upon our local area/the Borough for the mainstay of our bar and coffee shop business.

Oh & I read the forum for what u say about us

Thanks for the input, ChrisLewis.

As you have no doubt seen, Stafford Forum can be a great way of engaging with your customer base and getting some real, honest feedback - the sort of market research that would normally cost you the Earth! Feel free to start some of your own threads or comment in ones regarding your own establishments.

That's not a swipe at you to say you shouldn't post in this thread, by the way. By all means, post away! Just trying to encourage you to post your own threads, as I do with all Forumites.

 

[Jade-clothing]

I believe our market is different to The Post House in that we are a hotel attracting visitors from both international & Uk market, but otherwise we solely depend upon our local area/the Borough for the mainstay of our bar and coffee shop business.

Oh & I read the forum for what u say about us

Is this Chris Lewis as in The Lewis Partnership....?!?

Either way, welcome to the forum... The Swan is my favourite place in Stafford for an evening drink No stupid door charges (that I have ever seen anyway) and it seems to attract a nice crowd.

Never gotten round to eating with you yet but maybe one day...

Same here - The Swan has got it just right. I do in during the day for coffee, for drinks in the evening and the meals are lovely. Would highly recommend trying the food. It's really reasonably priced and very tasty. The atmosphere is great too.
As for the Post House - I was really looking forward to going in to try it out but I have to say the comments on here have put me off a bit - I'm sure I will try it at some point but won't be rushing to do so. Especially as I'm still sulking about not getting a business invite to the opening night, Maybe second hand doesn't put across the right image for them?

 

[Vault_girl]

I went to the opening party on the Wednesday which was mostly for the companies who have been involved in some way in getting it ready. I was very impressed with the place as a whole. I know a lot of hard work by a lot of people has gone into that building and it was great that everyone got invited to view and "try out" before opening to the general public. I liked the red bar area and the upstairs dining areas especially.

there was a couple of things which surprised me slightly - white flooring and cream carpets, there was already scuffs on them by the end of the night. And like others have said the door staff presence was quite high. It did make me feel slightly like they would jump on me at any minute and kick me out even though I had an invite! I also thought the seating area in the entrance slightly strange, as other have said it's more of a walkway to get places. It could almost do with having more sofas and comfy chairs around coffee tables rather than tables and chairs for dining. But then it also seems a shame as it is such a wide open room to waste on empty walkway space rather than get some more space for dining etc.

The waiting staff seemed really friendly to me. I think they were extremely nervous, but I expect a lot of pressure was being put on them to behave in the right way and give a good impression. And they were all fairly young so give them a chance! I didn't really have much interaction with the other staff at all.

I shall be going back. The prices are quite high for everyday use for as a few others have said they are not that expensive for a really nice meal from a top chef. I have a birthday coming up *smiles sweetly at vault boy* and I'm sure I can come up with more excuses for celebrating something!

 

[wizzard]

I went to the opening party on the Wednesday which was mostly for the companies who have been involved in some way in getting it ready. I was very impressed with the place as a whole. I know a lot of hard work by a lot of people has gone into that building and it was great that everyone got invited to view and "try out" before opening to the general public. I liked the red bar area and the upstairs dining areas especially.

there was a couple of things which surprised me slightly - white flooring and cream carpets, there was already scuffs on them by the end of the night. And like others have said the door staff presence was quite high. It did make me feel slightly like they would jump on me at any minute and kick me out even though I had an invite! I also thought the seating area in the entrance slightly strange, as other have said it's more of a walkway to get places. It could almost do with having more sofas and comfy chairs around coffee tables rather than tables and chairs for dining. But then it also seems a shame as it is such a wide open room to waste on empty walkway space rather than get some more space for dining etc.

The waiting staff seemed really friendly to me. I think they were extremely nervous, but I expect a lot of pressure was being put on them to behave in the right way and give a good impression. And they were all fairly young so give them a chance! I didn't really have much interaction with the other staff at all.

I shall be going back. The prices are quite high for everyday use for as a few others have said they are not that expensive for a really nice meal from a top chef. I have a birthday coming up *smiles sweetly at vault boy* and I'm sure I can come up with more excuses for celebrating something!

Does this mean we can come and gatecrash the proceedings?

 

[My Name is URL]

Gatecrash...? I am awaiting my invite and will definately be there if vault boy is paying...

 

[Wormella]

I think a lot of these comments echo my own feelings, we walked past it today and it looked a little OTT, and empty (not surprising for a Wednesday night I admit) - We'll go at some point, but I'm not desperate to go..

 

[Sophie.pocock1]

Went in here at the weekend for a drink the place is amazing!!

 

[Wormella]

Went in here at the weekend for a drink the place is amazing!!

What made it amazing? Also what kind of drinks does it have at he bar?

 

[andy w]

Went in here at the weekend for a drink the place is amazing!!

What made it amazing? Also what kind of drinks does it have at he bar?

My advice would be to visit and have a good look around,as I posted before the owners have thrown a load of money at it and have created a venue you would expect in a big city.
That said a number of members have raised issues and a responsive mananagement team would be wise to listen and act on feedback.

 

[Withnail]

Riff raff ... won't pay unless it's bargain prices...

He's not that tight, though i'm fairly sure he still owes me a drink...

Do I?

It was worth a try.

Have i mentioned how skint i am?

 

[wizzard]

I'm amazed at how many companies set up twitter and facebook pages, but never sign up to forums when their company is mentioned, to answer questions etc..

 

[TheCreswellKid]

I went to The Post House for a drink with a group of friends on Saturday night, after a cracking meal at Stafford Balti, it was around 10:30pm and were charged £3, and were told this would be the price for entry no matter what time from 10pm until 1:30am (last entry), and the bar would be open until 3am.... Doormen/women treated us with kindness, telling us that they were operating a one-in/one-out system, hence a queue to get in...
Inside was beautiful, except a small section of trunking around the lighting between the bar and the main door, where we could clearly see a different shade of paint...which could have been caused by the fact that I found out on Sunday that they had a small leak in the kitchen???
Drinks were slightly more expensive than anticipated, but not by much, £3.40 for a pint of decent lager is no more or less than The Swan..... I did find the other clientelle to be rather snooty and unimpressed by the fact we were having a good time and a laugh.
We did think that it was rather impressive and all agreed that it was somewhere to try for a special occasion..... all in all 8/10, good but could improve....


And by the way, I have heard a rumour that whoever is in charge has agreed with the council to have 50 parking spaces under the old Borough Council buildings (or old Riverside)... and there will be Valet parking for a nominal charge....

 

[dippy1]

I've just come back from having lunch at the Post House - 6 of us in total.

From the prices on the menu we were all expecting great food and boy were we disappointed. No extras such as bread with the soup or any salad garnish with the lasagna or risotto. It just looked as though it had been slopped on the plate. Disappointing christmas turkey - no flavour. Over 2 hours it took for us to have the 2 courses despite us telling the staff that we were parked in 2 hour car parks. Took 20 mins for the bill to arrive and was incorrect. All the food had been overcharged for. No apologies for the incorrect bill or the long wait for food.

Just seemed to be pushing the drinks. My glass with my soft drink was filled to the brim with ice - reminded me of the McDonalds tactics.

£24 for my drink and 2 course lunch! The Swan - you have nothing to worry about!