Makeover plan for John o' Groats

[bettedaviseyes]

found this link have a look...

what do people think of the new make over?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8246319.stm

[cuddlepop]

I read this today in the Press @Journal.

Lets hope they dont "over commercialise" it.Its rugged beauty is breathtaking but the hotel is an eyesore.

[Amy-Winehouse]

Can you really ever see this come off? How many times have we heard this sort of thing bout Groats & none of it ever materialises- hot air or a waste of some serious amount of trees.

[Rheghead]

but the hotel is an eyesore.

I actually admire its architecture but I see that knocking it down and replacing it with something else is also a possibility.:confused

[supernova]

I think it would be great if it had a makeover, whenever we have visitors they always want to go there but always leave a bit underwhelmed!

[Kiwi]

We had visitors from England in the summer and they all wanted to see John O'Groats. We went to the new cafe place after having the tourist photo taken, and a few of us wanted toasties and soup. It was just after 4.30pm but we were told we could not have the toasties because they were closing at 5pm. We had already picked up the cheese sandwiches from the chiller cabinet, ready to hand over the counter to be toasted, and we were told we had to put them back and choose something cold!

I was so ashamed of this 'Caithness Hospitality' it put a real downer on things.

A few minutes after we sat down some people arrived who had just cycled a long distance for charity (not sure if it was Land's End to John O' Groats, but I think it was) and of course they could only have a cold drink too. They had to stand up to drink it though because the chairs were being stacked up on to the tables around us and there was nowhere left to sit.

I just hope that if JOG gets a lot of money pumped into it that the service side of things has a wee shake-up. I appreciate that these people would probably only be paid until 5pm, but I still thought it was shocking - our relatives just couldn't believe it and have told everybody back home - don't blame them. Maybe there should be a bit of leeway for people to claim for extra time worked because I certainly wouldn't take any visitors back there.

[northener]

We had visitors from England in the summer and they all wanted to see John O'Groats. We went to the new cafe place after having the tourist photo taken, and a few of us wanted toasties and soup. It was just after 4.30pm but we were told we could not have the toasties because they were closing at 5pm. We had already picked up the cheese sandwiches from the chiller cabinet, ready to hand over the counter to be toasted, and we were told we had to put them back and choose something cold!

I was so ashamed of this 'Caithness Hospitality' it put a real downer on things.

A few minutes after we sat down some people arrived who had just cycled a long distance for charity (not sure if it was Land's End to John O' Groats, but I think it was) and of course they could only have a cold drink too. They had to stand up to drink it though because the chairs were being stacked up on to the tables around us and there was nowhere left to sit.

I just hope that if JOG gets a lot of money pumped into it that the service side of things has a wee shake-up. I appreciate that these people would probably only be paid until 5pm, but I still thought it was shocking - our relatives just couldn't believe it and have told everybody back home - don't blame them. Maybe there should be a bit of leeway for people to claim for extra time worked because I certainly wouldn't take any visitors back there.

You were unlucky, the Journeys End has had a couple of staff off work unexpectedly, so everyone's been trying to muck in and cover. Unfortunately, because of the shortages and some staff having to get the bus just before 5, this has meant that they have had to close a little earlier than they would normally.

[PantsMAN]

You were unlucky, the Journeys End has had a couple of staff off work unexpectedly, so everyone's been trying to muck in and cover. Unfortunately, because of the shortages and some staff having to get the bus just before 5, this has meant that they have had to close a little earlier than they would normally.

Ah, if only this was the whole story - the cafe has been abyssmal for years - dreadful decor and the the exquisite 'eau d'urine' that seeps from the toilets just adds to the charm. Plus the scintillating charm of the staff in the cafe over the years must have added to the warm and fuzzy feeling which the tourists enjoy.

As far as the main bit of the thread goes - 'Makeover...' we've seen it all before. Grand plans on paper and dismal reality on the ground. IMHO [lol]

[northener]

Ah, if only this was the whole story - the cafe has been abyssmal for years - dreadful decor and the the exquisite 'eau d'urine' that seeps from the toilets just adds to the charm. Plus the scintillating charm of the staff in the cafe over the years must have added to the warm and fuzzy feeling which the tourists enjoy.

As far as the main bit of the thread goes - 'Makeover...' we've seen it all before. Grand plans on paper and dismal reality on the ground. IMHO [lol]

Mr Pants, may I politely suggest you ensure you are criticising the right establishment?

The Journeys End only opened at the back end of last year for the first time, it didn't exist before then.....:confused

[PantsMAN]

Mr Pants, may I politely suggest you ensure you are criticising the right establishment?

The Journeys End only opened at the back end of last year for the first time, it didn't exist before then.....:confused

10,000 apologies dear person, I was referring to the cafe situated in the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Geriatric Shopping Mall. I assume the 'Journey's End is elsewhere. I really try to avoid J O G under any circumstances.
Pip! Pip!

[Kiwi]

You were unlucky, the Journeys End has had a couple of staff off work unexpectedly, so everyone's been trying to muck in and cover. Unfortunately, because of the shortages and some staff having to get the bus just before 5, this has meant that they have had to close a little earlier than they would normally.

I appreciate we may have been unlucky, but you seem to suggest that this may have happened on more than one occasion. It's a shame because there were fourteen of us (including children) and if this has happened over several days then there could have been many, many people with a bad tale to tell about John O'Groats, and they could have each told ten people, who then each told ten people.............

Do you see what I'm saying? It's a ripple effect, and all those people who may now decide not to go to John O'groats means a loss of business for EVERY shop in JOG. I don't know the staffing problems personally, but I just think that perhaps it may have been worth even the owner stepping in to cover staff sickness to prevent what could be a massive loss in business.

[northener]

I appreciate we may have been unlucky, but you seem to suggest that this may have happened on more than one occasion. It's a shame because there were fourteen of us (including children) and if this has happened over several days then there could have been many, many people with a bad tale to tell about John O'Groats, and they could have each told ten people, who then each told ten people.............

Do you see what I'm saying? It's a ripple effect, and all those people who may now decide not to go to John O'groats means a loss of business for EVERY shop in JOG. I don't know the staffing problems personally, but I just think that perhaps it may have been worth even the owner stepping in to cover staff sickness to prevent what could be a massive loss in business.

The 'owner' is the Lands End John O'Groats Company. The site manager is there, and so are the staff. It's not always possible to do everything that the customer wants at that precise moment in time. Real life kicks in sometimes.

As for your 'multiplying tale of woe'...don't you think you're making rather a mountain out of a molehill? They have had to shut a little earlier than planned, it happens to the best in the business.

[Kiwi]

The 'owner' is the Lands End John O'Groats Company. The site manager is there, and so are the staff. It's not always possible to do everything that the customer wants at that precise moment in time. Real life kicks in sometimes.

As for your 'multiplying tale of woe'...don't you think you're making rather a mountain out of a molehill? They have had to shut a little earlier than planned, it happens to the best in the business.

Sorry, but your earlier post seemed to imply that the shutting early and turning away custom has happened on more than one occasion. If every shop at John O'Groats did this, well what a reputation it would build, do you not agree?

As for my 'tale of woe' no I don't think I am making a mountain out of a molehill as local businesses often depend on word of mouth. A lot of the visitors to the area probably have family connections in Caithness and they will probably ask for recommendations of where to visit.

Have you worked in the service industry locally? I would imagine that telling the customer that they can't expect to get what they want all the time would go down well - not. What a shocking attitude to take.

[northener]

Sorry, but your earlier post seemed to imply that the shutting early and turning away custom has happened on more than one occasion. If every shop at John O'Groats did this, well what a reputation it would build, do you not agree?

I've already given the reasons for my 'implication' earlier. JOG is not 'employees looking for a jobsville', it's difficult trying to find staff in a relatively remote location like JOG who can fit in with the job. Outside school hours is always a difficult time to find peope willing to work for just a few hours in a seasonal job.
Also, staff have to get home on available transport (Wick bus leaves at 16;55 IIRC), staff sometimes get ill or have to change shift patterns at short notice...you cannot just magic up extra staff out of thin air.

Bear in mind as well that this is the first full season that the business has been in operation - so they are still feeling their way around opening hours and staffing levels.

As for 'and turning away custom on more than one occasion'' may I politely suggest you stick to the facts as presented, not your own version clumsily twisted to suit your argument.


As for my 'tale of woe' no I don't think I am making a mountain out of a molehill as local businesses often depend on word of mouth. A lot of the visitors to the area probably have family connections in Caithness and they will probably ask for recommendations of where to visit.

Ah, yes. You neglected to mention in your first post that it was not just one or two of you but 'fourteen' who piled in wanting 'cheese toasties' (your own words) 'just after half past four' - into a cafe that was trying to shut at five......

So, somehow, you expect a cafe to magic up fourteen cheese toasties when they are trying to close up. How many toasties do you think a caff can do at once? And how long do you think that will take to cook, serve, you lot to sit down and eat and for the staff to clean up and wash behind you?....or doesn't hygene come into it as long as you get served?


Have you worked in the service industry locally?

I don't need to, I know what I'm talking about based on a postion of first hand knowledge.


I would imagine that telling the customer that they can't expect to get what they want all the time would go down well - not. What a shocking attitude to take.

Aye, the last defence of an indignant 'customer' faced with not being able to get their own unreasonable way: "The customer is always right". :roll:



Let's examine a few of your comments from your original posts......

"I was so ashamed of this 'Caithness Hospitality' it put a real downer on things"

"but I still thought it was shocking"

"I would imagine that telling the customer that they can't expect to get what they want all the time would go down well - not. What a shocking attitude to take."




You couldn't get a cheese toastie because of a valid reason. Period. Get over it.

You really need to get out more.


I know every single person who works in there. They are hard working, good people who will happily go out of their way where possible to help out their customers, and, even those who don't buy anything from them.

So if you think for one minute I'm going to sit here and allow you to post indignant, ignorant, narrow-minded, trivial, whingeing and ill-informed rubbish about them - you've got another thing coming.

I have nothing more to add to this thread, your words are there for everyone to see. There's been 564 views of this thread so far, let's see how any people agree that your stance is reasonable.

[crayola]

Ah, yes. You neglected to mention in your first post that it was not just one or two of you but 'fourteen' who piled in wanting 'cheese toasties' (your own words) 'just after half past four' - into a cafe that was trying to shut at five......
It's not often I disagree with you Northener but that sounds like a perfectly reasonable request to me. :confused

If they have problems with staff having to leave before their official closing time of 5pm they might consider bring forward their closing time to 4:30pm.

[Boozeburglar]

Crayola nails it.

[Kiwi]

There were only two in the party who wanted a toastie, not fourteen! The toasties were already made up and in the chiller cabinet, they just had to be toasted.

Six of the party were children (and very well behaved children I must say) and they each only had a carton of juice from the chiller cabinet and a packet of biscuits.

Hardly a huge order to cope with really, six coffees, two toasties and two bowls of soup (the soup was hot, and it was ready, but we weren't allowed any).

My goodness I can hardly believe I am trying to justify wanting a snack in a cafe! I think it's ridiculous that I am being verbally attacked and accused of being narrow minded for expecting good service!

[Boozeburglar]

So if you think for one minute I'm going to sit here and allow you to post indignant, ignorant, narrow-minded, trivial, whingeing and ill-informed rubbish about them - you've got another thing coming.

I have nothing more to add to this thread, your words are there for everyone to see. There's been 564 views of this thread so far, let's see how any people agree that your stance is reasonable.

This kind of reaction, to what I think most of us would identify as a fair comment, is competely over the top.

I don't see any posts on here that would identify the poster in the insulting and reactionary way you have..

Seems typical of the reaction I would expect from people who consider serving the public THEY have invited to use their service as a chore.

That is a common problem with the service industry in rural places. Staff who are available rather than suited to the work, and management whose interest is in making money in a limited market, (rather than competing on a customer satisfaction basis and training their staff accordingly).

That is my opinion, based on the facts given so far.

If you cannot heat up a couple of toasties half an hour before closing then you have no business advertising yourself as a cafe. Shameful.

[tonkatojo]

It's not often I disagree with you Northener but that sounds like a perfectly reasonable request to me. :confused

If they have problems with staff having to leave before their official closing time of 5pm they might consider bring forward their closing time to 4:30pm.


Or a simple sign saying last order time for hot food/drinks.

Surely in this economic climate staff could be found for reasonable working hours.
A cafe closing at a tourist attraction at 1700hrs is a bit soon.

[dafi]

What a waste of time and money.

It will convert it from a seedy tourist trap to a slightly less seedy tourist trap....and for how much...a fortune that could be better spent on the north coast.

[Rheghead]

I think I'd best try to pedal harder and get in early if it is so hard to get a bite to eat.

[Boozeburglar]

Lol! Good luck, that is an admirable undertaking. Good thing you are getting your end to end in before they introduce pay to pedal on the UK's roads.

:)

[maverick]

buldoze the whole lot into the sea and start again