Shibden Mereside Cafe - Calderdale

My wife and I visited Shibden Mereside Cafe today for a light lunch, it was our second visit in three weeks. Last time, we were seated in the extended area as it was busy. The food and staff are generally good, but we were put off when staff started clearing up and stacking chairs on tables while we were still eating. Today, we arrived early and sat in the extended area again. At 2:15pm, a staff member came in and started cleaning, lifting chairs onto tables. One customer asked what time they were closing and was told 4:30pm. This made us feel unwelcome. I hope the manager reads this review and addresses the issue. I may return in the future, but not in a hurry. It was disappointing and unacceptable.

After a lovely walk around the park we decided to have an ice cream. I went back to our car for my purse. I was surprised to see the price of a one scoop ice cream cone, £3.95, so I paid nearly £8 for 2 cones, I thought it would be good quality ice cream so went ahead with the purchase, but sadly when I got back to the car and tried the cone it was tasteless and had pieces of ice in it. For obvious reasons I didn’t go back (it was melting) but with hindsight I should have done. I felt sorry for a young mum behind me with 3 children as she had promised them an ice cream as a treat. Most expensive ice cream I’ve ever had and probably the worst, avoid!

I had a gluten free chicken sandwich for my lunch, i was very pleased i could eat there, they have soya milk ,again very pleased as not many independent cafes have., staff were very helpful. They sell gluten free cones if you fancied an ice cream . The cafe is a very good size with plenty of seating, even sit outside if you wish. So pleased they cater for Celiacs with a choice..

Visited the cafe after a visit to the park and playground on a sunny sunday afternoon. It was 3.30pm and the cafe closing time was 4.30pm but even though the park was busy and the queue was out of the door, over half of the seating area was closed off and chairs on tables so staff could mop the floor. I found this made it feel really unwelcoming like they didnt want you in there even though there was an hour left until they closed. Lots of people took chairs down again to sit at the tables. It was also very expensive, with a coffee, 2 soft drinks and 3 traybakes coming to £17!

The service and food at this restaurant were excellent. Our group ordered a panini, omelette, sausage bagel, and a sausage, cheese, and onion toastie, all of which were well-made and delicious. The drinks were also very good.