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Sunday, April 30, 2023

'Food from beauty spot café looked nothing like online photos' - Manchester Evening News

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In today's social media driven society, nothing pulls in customers more than some sleek photos shared online.

And when your cafe is set at the beautiful Pennington Flash in Leigh, Wigan, it's the perfect backdrop for those 'Instagrammable' images.

The Hide Coffee House is making the most of its setting by sharing photos of its food and drink amid the relaxing setting.

But so far, things are running far from smoothly. We reported last week how the venue has been hit with scathing reviews from unhappy customers.

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The Hide Coffee House at Pennington Flash
The Hide Coffee House at Pennington Flash

While some slated the venue's card-only policy, others said they were disappointed with the 'overpriced' and 'inedible' food, claiming the toasties, costing £6.45, taste 'like rubber'.

I decided to try it out for myself, taking my two children along for a drink and a bite to eat.

As it was mid-afternoon last Saturday, I think we'd missed the lunchtime rush - and around half of the menu had been crossed off as it was no longer available.

Half of the menu was crossed out
Half of the menu was crossed out

With limited options to choose from, my son ordered a bacon barm, I went for a toasted teacake and my daughter chose a waffle and ice cream.

Despite seven members of staff behind the counter - taking orders inside the cafe and through the little window hatch at the side - it seemed a little chaotic, with nobody that clear on who was doing what.

And what we got looked nothing like those photos used to sell this place.

It was supposed to be 'bacon on a soft white barm', priced £3.75
It was supposed to be 'bacon on a soft white barm', priced £3.75

For a start everything arrived in a box and my latte in a cardboard cup. Apparently plates and mugs are only used on weekdays because at weekends it's simply too busy and the dishwasher wouldn't cope.

I get it as a takeaway option, but when you're sitting in, it kind of takes the appeal off what you're having. I'm sure the boxes are recyclable, but they're certainly going through a hell of a lot of them.

It wouldn't be so bad if the food itself was of a decent quality. The supposed 'bacon on a soft white barm' ordered for my son was actually a dry toasted bun, with very little bacon considering the £3.75 price tag.

Toasted teacake, £2.50
Toasted teacake, £2.50

My burnt teacake, for £2.50, looked just as unappealing, although it didn't taste too bad once I'd smothered it with butter.

The waffle and ice cream, priced £4.50, was OK, but nothing to write home about. It's not quite the same when waffles are warmed up from the display counter, rather than made to order, and again the box it came in made it a rather sad looking dessert.

The disappointment of my teacake was somewhat diminished by the devouring of a Biscoff cronut - which thankfully came in a paper bag rather than another box - but that was also a tad expensive at £3.50, as was the £2.50 croissant my son demolished after still being hungry from his rather pitiful barm.

Waffle and ice cream, £4.50
Waffle and ice cream, £4.50

With the coffee, a Pepsi and a small carton or orange juice, it came to £23 overall, quite a hefty bill for a quick snack.

On the positive side, the place looks great, it was nice and clean and a member of staff was wiping down outside tables as we were there.

The Hide's Facebook photo, left, with the reality, right
The Hide's Facebook photo, left, with the reality, right

I get why some people are annoyed by the card-only system - even I forgot and sent my son up with cash to pay for his additional croissant - but generally I'll only have my card on me anyway as it's becoming the norm for many businesses to have that same policy.

I hope what the business is having now is teething problems, as a place like this has so much promise, and will no doubt get even busier once the new play area next to it is finished.

Maybe if some of the staff behind the counter could wash some dishes, or find room for another dishwasher, they might even be able to start serving stuff on plates.

A huge new playground is being built close to the cafe
A huge new playground is being built close to the cafe

The café, which is operated by Leigh Sports Village on behalf of Wigan Council, is open seven days a week, open 9am-7pm from April to October and 9am-4pm from November to March.

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'Food from beauty spot café looked nothing like online photos' - Manchester Evening News
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