The Willow Tree - Mid Suffolk

Been coming here for years, since it opened. Apart from a couple of years ago when a group of belligerent alcoholic pensioners seemed to be in residence and spoiled things, it's been fine. It's a wetherpoons so you know what to expect, cheap beer, good breakfast, less good evening food at a fair price.

The staff work incredibly hard but we all had the same problem with our food, it just wasn't cooked for long enough and our guacamole was frozen. We had a large family gathering and we were there for several hours and this happened to several of us. The beyond meat burgers just were not cooked for long enough and they were quite sloppy. The food was ok up until a few months ago so not sure what has changed. There is also a sewer like waft that comes out from the vents near to the kitchen. We absolutely could not fault the bar staff and we ordered numerous drinks and meals, at various times, all were served very efficiently.

On Friday December 2nd we met up for a long awaited family reunion which was ruined because of weatherspoons stringent policies regarding children and also moving tables. There were 13 of us including four children aged 11mths, 9, 14 and one who is nearly 15. We wanted to sit together but was told in no uncertain terms NO as it would block access and was against fire regulations and that we 'd have to sit at separate tables. Then a lovely guy said he 'd sort it so we could sit together. We ordered drinks, my grandson 22 had no ID so no drink .However we were then told that if he was seen with a drink at the table then we 'd all be banned from purchasing alcohol which is strange as would be having it with a meal so technically it shouldn 't apply. About 8ish we ordered our meals and enquired how spicy a dish was as the 9yr old didn 't like spicy food. Jobsworth brought round raffle tickets before our meal so she could clearly see that there were children. We ate our meal, tables were cleared and about nine we had more drinks. We were going to order desserts when jobsworth appeared and told us that children had to be out by nine. so no dessert for us. We said that we were unaware of this and were promptly told and repeated that It 's on the website . When asked was this to do with the licencing laws she tried to imply that it was then said it was company policy. We pointed out that it wasn 't law and therefore notices should be visible explaining this. She did say we could finish our drinks first. Wow how generous. She came back again to tell us we had five minutes before we had to leave. After this experience totally ruining our evening we will definitely boycott this pub chain and be sharing our experience on other social media platforms.

Disgusting that no one told us that children under 18 had to be out of the pub by 9pm no signs anywhere. We were a large family who hadn’t been able to get together for years so this was a special occasion for us all. Some of us travelling for over a hour to get to the pub. First of all we were told that we couldn’t move tables together to be able to accommodate us all, then a member of staff did help and we were all able to sit together. That’s why I have given 1 star. We were then told that as my nephew didn’t have id on him to prove his age he’s 22 and he was seen drinking alcohol it was the law that the whole table would be banned from buying alcohol. The actual law is that children under 18 can have an alcoholic beverage with a meal as long as they are accompanied by an adult over 18. It might be Wetherspoons policy not to uphold this but that is totally different. That’s rubbish as it’s not the law at all that’s Wetherspoons policy. We didn’t order our food till 8pm and even asked the member of staff if the chicken was spicy as it was for a 9 year old. He said no it would be fine. Again nothing mentioned about children having to be out of the pub by 9pm We bought raffle tickets at table and the young lady that sold them to us saw we had young children with us again nothing was said about children having to be out by 9pm. There is no signs anywhere explaining this about children This was the same person that came over to our table and eventually told us that we had to leave as we had young children with us. She also said that staff should have made us aware that this was the case but she herself didn’t do this either. Also when you are told by staff that it’s the law that children have to be out by 9pm and it’s actually your policy that’s very wrong. Some people might not know the law but I’ve worked in hospitality for 26 years and am a personal license holder also. So staff telling me rubbish doesn’t wash. We got told that it states on the website about children but who actually looks for that most people go to look at the menu. On the website you have to go into opening times to see about children. If we had known this we would never of chosen to eat here. You need signs up in the pub to explain this. Would defraud if you want to eat in the evenings with young children

Was hair all over my raw, uncooked, pizza which was not cut up and was clearly just thrown in the box. Staff were rude and cocky, chips were cold and food took a long time to come