17/10/2026
We’re sharing this one-star review because there’s important context missing. It’s a little hilarious to read, but it also raises a serious point about negative reviews, particularly ones written in apparent revenge.
Joe Noel was visiting Lynton when he visited our café and wrote the following one-star Google review:
“Probably nice but the staff passive aggressively said it ‘wouldn’t work’ out because we had a toddler and suggested somewhere else that does ‘nuggets and chips’”
It is a nice cafe, but what that account leaves out is the sustained, extremely loud screaming inside the nice café before we intervened.
People were trying to enjoy their food, drinks, music and conversations. It simply wasn’t reasonable to expect everyone around this family to carry on enjoying their visit while that level of disruption continued.
We’re rather fond of customers being able to hear the person sitting opposite them.
We’ve welcomed delightful families, with children and toddlers who really do make our day. Those visits are a pleasure, and we want families reading this to know that.
According to my mother, I was hardly an angel myself. Listening to her account, you’d think I’d been taken everywhere in a “My First Straitjacket” and gag. I suspect I gave her plenty of material.
So we do feel for parents dealing with an upset child. These situations can be difficult, and an outing doesn’t always go to plan. But the accompanying adults still have a responsibility to respond to significant disruption, including stepping outside or ending the visit when necessary.
A minor detail, but the suggestion of somewhere serving chips had context too. The child was asking for chips, which we don’t serve, so that further added to the child's upset.
This particular review leaves readers with the impression that the family was turned away simply for having a toddler.
Without the circumstances behind our decision, the customer appears to be the victim and the business the villain. Being unhappy with a decision doesn’t automatically mean someone has been treated unfairly.
We’re not asking for pity or for anyone to take this up with Joe on our behalf. We’d have preferred five stars, obviously. But we’re pleased Joe’s review gives us the opportunity to explain where we draw the line, so future visitors know what to expect.
We want people to enjoy spending time here. That depends on everyone showing consideration for those around them, whatever their age.
