Dirty tables and rude staff.A friend and I visited this Kingston, Church Street (marketplace) branch on 13.03.24 at around 15.40. We were asked if we were drinking our coffees in or out, we replied that we would sit upstairs on the first floor, as all seats on the ground floor were taken.The prices here seem rather inflated compared to other coffee shops locally - £7+ for two coffees. We then went upstairs were there were a few people, but a couple of empty seats. The tables were filthy, scattered with food crumbs and looking greasy. At just passed 16.00 one of the staff members came into the room and barked at everybody stating we would have to move downstairs as they were closing the upstairs - no request, just 'an order', and no explanation - the branch wasn't due to close until 18.00 (another two hours!).We explained that there were no seats downstairs, but the surly staff member told us that there was! She then began to spray tables close to us with cleaning fluid.Firstly, the staff clearly don't care that customers have to sit at filthy tables, as they only seem concerned to clean them when they want to close the store, and not to make customers more comfortable. Secondly, why close off a part of the shop two hours before closing time, particularly when that part of the shop is the only area with available seating? Clearly this is for the convenience of the staff, so they can get away as soon as the clock strikes 18.00 - again no thought for the comfort of the customers.I'm not sure if anyone from Pret ever reads these reviews, as there's not one response to any of them as far as I can see. Even if this is the case, at least this review might serve as a caution to other potential customers. I shall certainly not be using this branch again, particularly when there are numerous other better options available locally.
Matthew C
The seating is weird, and the service is slow.
Mike Walker
Upper seating areas are uncomfortable with no heating and the music is too loud.
cleaners1 Meggie
I been in the shop on 9th Dec at 14.20pm when a girl from the staff come and start to shout at customer why she sitting on double table.Was really rough.
S B
Every single table is dirty. Over an hour to closing time but they don't let you sit upstairs. Where do you sit when every table is filthy with other people's rubbish and half eaten food?
Andria
My fave Pret ? Always providing great service and great drinks, plus they seem to serve quickly no matter the time or size of the queue (don't know how they do it during lunch rush!) The best thing about the Market Place Pret though is by far the staff, they are so warm, friendly & professional- they know their regulars (despite so many!) and you always get a service with a smile, even when it is rush hour! Thank you team, you're all brilliant ?
Vivien Figura
This morning I decided to drink a tea here. After I was sitting and chilling, a homeless person came in and sit next to me. No security service whatsoever, so I left. I didn't feel safe since the guy was constantly staring at me. I won't be coming back here again.
T Cho
I have been a regular customer at this branch for the last 5 years and there have been ups and downs in the service quality and the atmosphere, but it is probably at its prime time at the moment - as of 18 Aug 2023.There is one particular barista - a lady of around 5 ft with dark hair and a pair of glasses with a little thick lenses - who makes brilliant coffee which comes out with some impressive foam of milk, and she even makes some latte art which has been missing at Pret since the introduction of subscription, I believe, and another contributing factor being that they use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk but not whole milk at Pret.I think the atmosphere among the team is also good at the moment and it gets transmitted to the customers too.The location is good as it very close to the Kingston market square. You can also enjoy lots of sunshines especially on the ground floor - there are plenty of seats upstairs too with some classic oak ambience.A very nice place to visit in general!
Nasir Khan
Excellent customer service. Witnessed kind and heart-warming attitude to an elderly gentlemen customer, with a very kind gesture towards him by Area Manager, with a genuine hospitality focus. Good customer service goes a long way to increase brand loyalty. Kingston (Church St) also has fabulous, spacious seating. 5 stars.
ewa k
Very helpful Staff. It was one of these clumsy days and I dropped the drink... The Staff immediately offered a replacement which was very kind. Thank you ?
Fast, efficient service. Good food selection, great coffee, and a pleasant environment..
琳琳
My favourite Pret cafe. The staff are always friendly, there's a great selection of food available and plenty of seats to choose. 5 stars
Simona Jeskilevaite
it's really dirty... you cant eat here the standards are below good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hanif G
Took order online and kept delaying to cancel a hour later . Total order was approx £30 for a Lunch Order for 4 people No communication and a total letdown
jonathan reed
Lovely seating upstairs18/4/22 no change01/7/22 no change21/2/23 no change
Dirty tables and rude staff.A friend and I visited this Kingston, Church Street (marketplace) branch on 13.03.24 at around 15.40. We were asked if we were drinking our coffees in or out, we replied that we would sit upstairs on the first floor, as all seats on the ground floor were taken.The prices here seem rather inflated compared to other coffee shops locally - £7+ for two coffees. We then went upstairs were there were a few people, but a couple of empty seats. The tables were filthy, scattered with food crumbs and looking greasy. At just passed 16.00 one of the staff members came into the room and barked at everybody stating we would have to move downstairs as they were closing the upstairs - no request, just 'an order', and no explanation - the branch wasn't due to close until 18.00 (another two hours!).We explained that there were no seats downstairs, but the surly staff member told us that there was! She then began to spray tables close to us with cleaning fluid.Firstly, the staff clearly don't care that customers have to sit at filthy tables, as they only seem concerned to clean them when they want to close the store, and not to make customers more comfortable. Secondly, why close off a part of the shop two hours before closing time, particularly when that part of the shop is the only area with available seating? Clearly this is for the convenience of the staff, so they can get away as soon as the clock strikes 18.00 - again no thought for the comfort of the customers.I'm not sure if anyone from Pret ever reads these reviews, as there's not one response to any of them as far as I can see. Even if this is the case, at least this review might serve as a caution to other potential customers. I shall certainly not be using this branch again, particularly when there are numerous other better options available locally.
The seating is weird, and the service is slow.
Upper seating areas are uncomfortable with no heating and the music is too loud.
I been in the shop on 9th Dec at 14.20pm when a girl from the staff come and start to shout at customer why she sitting on double table.Was really rough.
Every single table is dirty. Over an hour to closing time but they don't let you sit upstairs. Where do you sit when every table is filthy with other people's rubbish and half eaten food?
My fave Pret ? Always providing great service and great drinks, plus they seem to serve quickly no matter the time or size of the queue (don't know how they do it during lunch rush!) The best thing about the Market Place Pret though is by far the staff, they are so warm, friendly & professional- they know their regulars (despite so many!) and you always get a service with a smile, even when it is rush hour! Thank you team, you're all brilliant ?
This morning I decided to drink a tea here. After I was sitting and chilling, a homeless person came in and sit next to me. No security service whatsoever, so I left. I didn't feel safe since the guy was constantly staring at me. I won't be coming back here again.
I have been a regular customer at this branch for the last 5 years and there have been ups and downs in the service quality and the atmosphere, but it is probably at its prime time at the moment - as of 18 Aug 2023.There is one particular barista - a lady of around 5 ft with dark hair and a pair of glasses with a little thick lenses - who makes brilliant coffee which comes out with some impressive foam of milk, and she even makes some latte art which has been missing at Pret since the introduction of subscription, I believe, and another contributing factor being that they use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk but not whole milk at Pret.I think the atmosphere among the team is also good at the moment and it gets transmitted to the customers too.The location is good as it very close to the Kingston market square. You can also enjoy lots of sunshines especially on the ground floor - there are plenty of seats upstairs too with some classic oak ambience.A very nice place to visit in general!
Excellent customer service. Witnessed kind and heart-warming attitude to an elderly gentlemen customer, with a very kind gesture towards him by Area Manager, with a genuine hospitality focus. Good customer service goes a long way to increase brand loyalty. Kingston (Church St) also has fabulous, spacious seating. 5 stars.
Very helpful Staff. It was one of these clumsy days and I dropped the drink... The Staff immediately offered a replacement which was very kind. Thank you ?
Restaurantji Recommends
Fast, efficient service. Good food selection, great coffee, and a pleasant environment..
My favourite Pret cafe. The staff are always friendly, there's a great selection of food available and plenty of seats to choose. 5 stars
it's really dirty... you cant eat here the standards are below good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Took order online and kept delaying to cancel a hour later . Total order was approx £30 for a Lunch Order for 4 people No communication and a total letdown
Lovely seating upstairs18/4/22 no change01/7/22 no change21/2/23 no change