In principle, Melanie's Kitchen should be the jewel in the crown that is Downend high street.
It sells delicious and fancy deli foods - the sort of stuff you get excited about cracking open for a treat on the weekend, or try to pass off as your own when hosting a tea party with the girls, or put in a Christmas Hamper.
It provides a much needed change for an area that is saturated with supermarket chains like Sainsburys, Tescos and Co-op.
When it first moved in I thought - 'Great, if this place thrives maybe more independent shops will move in, butchers, bakers, green grocers... This could be the start of something good!'.
I was willing to become a regular customer of this place for the purchase of 'weekend treats', despite the high price tags, to ensure that this sort of businesses is supported and encouraged.
However, this place is severely let down by the grumpy staff.
Both myself and my sisters, who have also visited this place, agree that we found the experience uncomfortable and hostile. So much so that you resent handing over the money for your olives/cakes/chutney, and wish you had simply gone to the co-op.
The staff really need to work on their customer service skills.
There is an expected level of 'polite interaction' when you visit a place like this. The sort of human interaction and service that sets it apart from the supermarket - that drives people to become regular customers.
I would expect the staff to be able to tell me a bit about the products, be a little bit excited or enthusiastic about the items, and partake in a bit of friendly chit-chat.
At the very least I would expect a warm welcome, or an offer if assistance if there was anything I was looking for.
Come on guys. You have the potential to be so good. Make the customers feel glad they visited. Give them some 'warm and fuzzies' - you might just make a fortune. read more