Duke of Cumberland Pub, Kendal

[mariesnowgoose]

This message yesterday, 28th Sept 2022, from BanjoBilly over in Cumbria.

"BEWARE - the Duke of Cumberland pub. Kendal. I called in one evening two weeks ago to go to a music session. It was my first time in there. I stayed for an hour and bought several drinks for me and a friend.

Today I received a parking ticket, demanding £60.00 for parking in the car park adjoining the pub. Thinking it was a scam I called The Duke, who were aware of the problem but told me that I failed to put my car registration into a device at the bar, so it was my own fault. The car park belonged to their landlord, Punch Pubs, so they could do nothing about it and I should pay the fine.

It was dark and raining when I arrived, the car park sign said 'Patrons Only' and the barman did not warn me, there was no device or sign visible on the bar, so how was I supposed to know? After a Google search I found that dozens of others have had the same problem.

The Duke denied any responsibility, and were100% unhelpful, even though dozens of people have been caught and this has been going on for well over a year. How difficult would it be to train the staff to let people know, or to give every customer a slip of paper to tell them, or at least put a sign on the bar?

As for the landlords, Punch Pubs, (who also run The Fleece Inn in Kendal,) they are a pack of greedy, grasping, penny-pinching, stingy, tight-fisted, money-grubbing, maggots. May they rot. You have been warned."

 

[shortcircuit]

I had a similar experience and called back into pub and manager cancelled imediately. Appears your contact not very good at custommer care.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I had a similar experience and called back into pub and manager cancelled imediately. Appears your contact not very good at custommer care.

My contact? Presume you mean the pub contact?

If you're somehow referring to Bill, I'll just point out that he's local to that area (most of his life) and diplomacy and tact is his middle name. He's used to working with difficult situations (mediator) so can't see how he would be at fault in this particular incident?

 

[Robmac]

I used to do a lot of work for Punch Taverns.

Nasty, ruthless, horrible people. Their landlords despised them.

 

[Lee]

As for the landlords, Punch Pubs, (who also run The Fleece Inn in Kendal,) they are a pack of greedy, grasping, penny-pinching, stingy, tight-fisted, money-grubbing, maggots. May they rot. You have been warned."

Marie,
I think that the above pub is possibly not top of your favourites list. ☺
I hope you didn't leave the above on there review.
But at least we now know your opinion, thanks.

 

[izwozral]

Same deal at the Lamb Inn in Stone, Staffs.

Parking-Eye erected camera's and signage without planning permission then retrospectively applied and permission was given. The signage is all but invisible at night due to lack of lighting and the fact bushes and trees obscure them. Other businesses close by are affected due to lack of parking in the immediate area and to be blunt, the Lamb Inn is bloody awful and you rarely see more than half a dozen cars in the 50+ parking bays.
A lot of people were caught out [including me] until word got around that the landlord is a "greedy, grasping, penny-pinching, stingy, tight-fisted, money-grubbing, maggot", just like the greedy, grasping, penny-pinching, stingy, tight-fisted, money-grubbing, maggot at the Duke in Kendal.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Marie,
I think that the above pub is possibly not top of your favourites list. ☺
I hope you didn't leave the above on there review.
But at least we now know your opinion, thanks.

Lee, have you been to Specsavers lately? If not get appointment booked asap!

I've never been to the pub in the post and the comments are not mine.

 

[shortcircuit]

My contact? Presume you mean the pub contact?

If you're somehow referring to Bill, I'll just point out that he's local to that area (most of his life) and diplomacy and tact is his middle name. He's used to working with difficult situations (mediator) so can't see how he would be at fault in this particular incident?

You’ve lost me.

 

[GeoffL]

Lee, have you been to Specsavers lately? If not get appointment booked asap!

I've never been to the pub in the post and the comments are not mine.

TBH, I skim-read your OP and made the same mistake as Lee seems to have made.

That said, this issue seems to be getting more prevalent. We were worried about a similar thing in June this year. We'd booked a table at the Ladybower Inn in the Peak District. Parking was chargeable unless dining, CCTV enforced, and you had to give your registration to the bar staff on arrival. When we arrived, there were no vehicles in the car park, which we thought might be because there was a crew resurfacing the road between the car park and the pub itself. The crew adjusted their work so we could get into the car park and then had to wait over half an hour before we could walk over to the pub -- only to find a notice on the door that the pub was temporarily closed "due to unforeseen circumstances"; so we could neither register nor eat there. Thanks to the road works, it took another half a hour before we could get out of the car park. We took numerous photos in case we got a PCN and then headed for the Squinting Cat near Harrogate.
Bottom line is that the brewery (Batemans) had foreclosed and are still looking for tenants -- and I have a suspicion that the parking situation might have been a catalyst as the pub is in the middle of nowhere.

 

[number14]

@mariesnowgoose; have a look at pepipoo* (http://forums.pepipoo.com) and money saving expert (https://www.moneysavingexpert.com). There's lots of advice on how to defend these underhand tactics.

*yes I know, weird name - don't know why

Edit: oh dear, didn't read your post properly. Sorry, but I'm already on my fourth glass of Sauvignon Blanc!

 

[Lee]

I'm obviously a prime candidate to receive a parking fine, as I failed to read your post properly, i read what I wanted it to say , not what is said.

I must remember to park on the double yellow lines, the fine will be cheaper, if there's any one issuing tickets that is.
Thanks Marie

 

[alcam]

My contact? Presume you mean the pub contact?

If you're somehow referring to Bill, I'll just point out that he's local to that area (most of his life) and diplomacy and tact is his middle name. He's used to working with difficult situations (mediator) so can't see how he would be at fault in this particular incident?

Clowns to the left of me , jokers to the right.....

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Clowns to the left of me , jokers to the right.....

This is Banjo Bill's experience, not mine. He's my direct contact about this story.
I've had no contact with the pub in question, never been there in my life.

I responded to the comment you made - "Appears your contact not very good at customer care."

Semantics = confusion and misunderstanding. But I'll refrain from insulting you back

 

[izwozral]

Seems that people are confusing Banjo Billy with Squeeze Box Lily.

As usual I hang on your every word Marie and wasn't confused by your o.p.































Creep creep, can you lend me a fiver.

 

[Fisherman]

This is Banjo Bill's experience, not mine. He's my direct contact about this story.
I've had no contact with the pub in question, never been there in my life.

I responded to the comment you made - "Appears your contact not very good at customer care."

Semantics = confusion and misunderstanding. But I'll refrain from insulting you back

Well done Marie, can be difficult sometimes.

Anyway, I hope you can sort this nonsense out.

 

[stewheeler]

One day there will be born the Master Chip. King of all the Machines and its name will be NIce Quiet Country Lane. All other Bits will bend to it's Supremacy.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Well done Marie, can be difficult sometimes.

Anyway, I hope you can sort this nonsense out.

Social media? Difficult? Nooo!

Everybody always understands and interprets every post made with no bother.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

One day there will be born the Master Chip. King of all the Machines and its name will be NIce Quiet Country Lane. All other Bits will bend to it's Supremacy.

Talk about good timing!

 

[Robmac]

Social media? Difficult? Nooo!

Everybody always understands and interprets every post made with no bother.

Strange name though Marie? 'Banjo Diplomacy and Tact Billy'.

 

[alcam]

This is Banjo Bill's experience, not mine. He's my direct contact about this story.
I've had no contact with the pub in question, never been there in my life.

I responded to the comment you made - "Appears your contact not very good at customer care."

Semantics = confusion and misunderstanding. But I'll refrain from insulting you back

Sorry Marie I didn't make that comment.
My post was in support of what you were saying.