Clissold Park café ‘too posh’ and ‘too pricey’
Inside the new Clissold House cafe. Photograph: Hackney Citizen
The newly-restored Clissold Park café has been labelled ‘exclusive’ and ‘too posh’.
At a meeting of the Clissold Park User Group ten days after the café opened on 3 January, people raised concerns that the menu was elaborate and overpriced, and did not live up to the ‘cheap and cheerful’ offering users expected.
A number of comments have sprung up on various websites indicating others are also disappointed with the new café. One Hackney Citizen reader wrote: “Many locals can no longer afford to eat there.” Another added: “Gone are the days when the café in the mansion would provide basic and hearty food at decent prices.”
The café, named The House, is run by Hampstead-based Company of Cooks, which already provides catering in other London parks.
Attendees of the Clissold Park User Group suggested that the menu be changed to include chips, baked potatoes, a proper cooked breakfast, simple sandwiches, a special offer for children and teenagers, and an offer for older people.
Responding to the criticisms, a Company Of Cooks spokesperson said: “While the café’s been incredibly busy since its opening and many people are happy, we’re aware that doesn’t mean we’ve got it right in everyone’s eyes.
“We’re listening to the many viewpoints about the type of food and drink that people want to see available … similarly, the service style …
“We recognise that people want to use the house and park any number of different ways and so are considering how we can best serve as many of these different needs as possible.”
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