The Lakes Homecentre

The staff are pleasant, food is good and they have a wide range of things to buy although you may see the same things for months on end. Some nice furniture upstairs, lighting & bathroom items too. If your after some smellies for your home that's in there too. Out door plants they have decent selection. Anyone who prefers house plants they have a very small collection most of which are not getting the correct care they need to look their healthiest.

Today I visited the Lakes Home Centre restaurant in Cockermouth with my 2.5 year old and 7 month old. While waiting for our food, I was actively engaging with my toddler through an imaginative game about the elements. This kept him happily occupied around our table and prevented him from running through the cafe or disturbing other diners. Anyone with young children will know that restraining a lively toddler in a highchair can quickly result in loud distress, something I was deliberately avoiding out of respect for others. Despite this, a complaint was made by other customers, and a member of staff approached us to essentially say we had to sit and be quiet. I immediately felt unwelcome and uncomfortable, so I went to the counter to request a refund so I could leave, and explained why. The manager was called and chose to argue with me instead, stating that children should basically enter restaurants and be seen and not heard. She refused a refund and only offered takeaway boxes. I packed up the food, gathered my children and belongings, and left. This experience was disappointing. Children are part of society, and families have just as much right to enjoy a meal as anyone else. My child was not running, shouting, or causing disruption, he was playing imaginatively with his mother. I strongly disagree with the idea that children should be restrained or silenced to make others comfortable. It's disturbing to know that the sound of a toddler having fun brings people such misery. If you are a parent who interacts with your children rather than putting them in front of a screen, be aware that this establishment may not welcome you. I won’t be returning. Also the food was greasy, so no big loss in not eating there again.

Price misrepresentation and rude service; store mis priced item (entire shelf of 10 + same stock, description in front was description of item) proceeded to be told that’s not correct price, it’s another almost identical item nowhere near the shelf. Female staff member then refused to honour price advertised and removed label, I simply said that was poor practice for retail, was told very rudely ‘I’ll go get you the rule book’. Staff need a refresher course on customer service; mistakes happen; accept the fault and don’t speak to your customers like rubbish.