A pub has apologised after customers left without eating on Christmas Day due to slow service.
The Holly Hill Inn in Richmond was fully booked for Christmas dinner, with festive diners charged £50 a head for adults and £25 for children.
However, a number of customers took to social media to complain after leaving without getting fed due to the long wait.
One diner said that when they arrived, other customers were already leaving without eating.
“We waited two and half hours with four kids.
“Not one member of staff acknowledged us and when we tried asking how long it would be before we got seated they still didn’t know — the poor staff looked like crying it wasn’t their fault.
“They had clearly over booked and really poor management.”
Comments on the pub’s Facebook page that have since been deleted said the pub ran out of food, with customers getting a jacket potato for their dinner and people still waiting for dessert at 7.30pm at night.
Another customer said they knew it was time to leave when all the staff left.
They added: “We did get out deposit back by a women that didn’t even work there.
“Luckily a friend came to the rescue with all his left over Christmas dinner and brought it round.”
In a statement issued today on social media, landlord Chris said he had been unwell on Christmas Day.
He said: “I know I should have posted before but now I’m feeling better and having discussions on what we can offer customers over what happened on Christmas day.
“I would like to sincerely and whole heartedly apologise for what ended up as a disaster and a lot of upset.
“It started off well but due to a few things some which were our fault and some that were out of our hands, it just snowballed down hill.
“It didn’t help with me being ill and being doubled over in pain in the kitchen trying to sort things out but that isn’t excuse.
“I was just as bitterly disappointed as all you were, after discussions with what we can offer, the head office would like you to email me your complaints and decide what we can offer in resolution.”
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This pub has had a poor reputation for a while. Waiting for your meal is not news anymore.
Seems like someone bit off more than the customers could chew!
I used to enjoy having a meal in their fine dining room but I’ve given up on Holly Hill Inn since the dining room is often not open