West Meon Hut - Caffeine & Machine

[cliffords]

I went in there last week with a pall of mine , weekday.
I am not very tolerant and get agitated easily. I know this and so minimise experiences where I may behave badly.

I left within 5 minutes, having purchased nothing. Everything about the place trigered my intolerance and it was best for me to exit .

I think it has a quite unpleasant vibe .

[Paft Dunk]

I regularly go. Bikes have never needed tickets on any days. So I’ll go for a ride in the evening and stop in there for something to eat once a fortnight at least. The soft drinks prices are daft IMO.

Always been able to get a table and I’d stop going if I knew I couldn’t sit and eat there. I’d say it’s usually busy when I go but it’s always good weather too, which I am sure makes a difference.

Interesting to hear Loomies food is better. I’ve not been there for 10 years. Perhaps I should give it a try again. Biker cafes were never really my scene, terrible food and dull conversations about what exhaust was on your bike was the general experience.

[ecsrobin]

Paft Dunk said:

Biker cafes were never really my scene, terrible food and dull conversations about what exhaust was on your bike was the general experience.

Isn’t that exactly what caffeine and machine is meant to be?

The food at Loomies is good and the toilets are better than C&M in that they don’t have broken taps that have been there since opening day and you can fit more than 1 person in them without having to do some weird shuffle.

[Monsterwunsch]

Max M4X WW said:

Pretty much agree with all of the above. I can't really see how it can survive as it is, either. Granted, I usually go on a weekday evening or maybe a Friday, but it always seems pretty dead.

I've tried BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Mercedes vs Audi and it's all been pretty quiet.


Glad the tickets are 100% off now, which means you can just have a drink for "nothing" and not waste money if a ticket is not needed. But the last time I went in with £10 credit (it's sometimes £5 and sometimes £10?) and wanted a Coffee and Cake, they didn't have any, and I'm not sure I've seen any since, which is a shame.

It seems like a big and expensive operation to survive off 3 busy days a week in the summer. They need goodwill and support of the local car scene that will show up day in day out, which I don't think they have.

What a shame it is. I know hospitality business is incredibly difficult, but they are in a bizarre position of having a great premises and a deep pool of willing customers, who they seem hell bent on turning away.

[Paft Dunk]

ecsrobin said:

Isn’t that exactly what caffeine and machine is meant to be?

The food at Loomies is good and the toilets are better than C&M in that they don’t have broken taps that have been there since opening day and you can fit more than 1 person in them without having to do some weird shuffle.

Will make an effort to drop in next time I head out on a Wednesday.

[Max M4X WW]

ecsrobin said:

Paft Dunk said:

Biker cafes were never really my scene, terrible food and dull conversations about what exhaust was on your bike was the general experience.

Isn’t that exactly what caffeine and machine is meant to be?

The food at Loomies is good and the toilets are better than C&M in that they don’t have broken taps that have been there since opening day and you can fit more than 1 person in them without having to do some weird shuffle.

Taps fixed

[mischmaster]

Agree with a lot of what has been said here.

The chap that owns them, Phil I think his name is, has got it all a bit wrong IMO, especially with the Hut.

You turn up to the original one and it feels like a proper event, every time. It's always busy, there's loads going on. They've got raised bays, multiple tents with various activities and bits and pieces happening. It just feels right.

The Hut just feels de-prioritised, half finished and all a bit random. Never anything going on. Top car park is completely random. I've been there like most on themed nights and zero theme cars are in the top car park. The flow of it doesn't make sense and people keep giving this feedback to them about making it more like the original, but nothing ever changes.

Food is good, but service is hit and miss. I've had friendly prompt service and I've also experienced 15 teenagers stood around doing absolutely nothing. It could be so much better with a few small changes, but I always leave feeling a bit meh.

[Fred Smith]

mischmaster said:

Agree with a lot of what has been said here.
It could be so much better with a few small changes, but I always leave feeling a bit meh.

Seems fair.

What I don't get is two things.

(1) Why not make a few small changes (a bit cheaper, better service guidance on how to order etc)
and
(2) Reach out to car enthuasists and clubs within 30 or 40 miles and engage engage engage. Based on how many people attend car meets there must be so many people who would visit the Hut - say - once a month if only their niche was catered for, or they knew they could turn up pretty much any evening or weekend and see some great cars.

I will definitely go again... but I am in no hurry at all given that the best case scenario based on experience is that I'll see a few cool cars and maybe chat to some random guy or two. That puts it on a par with the least well attended car meet I have ever been to.... and hundreds of times worse than a meet I go to regularly which is 100% free and much closer to me.

[ecsrobin]

I got given complementary entry (not even applicable now) and some drinks from the manager after complaining about 4 months ago. (Tried to defend themselves until they checked CCTV). I have yet to take them up on that as like others I have no urge to visit when it should be me wanting to go all the time. I feel it will go the way of the hut and close once more.

[Frimley111R]

Agree about making it a regular venue for all local car clubs to meet. I'd go for events down there but am unlikely to go there 'just because'. TBH I think any motor related venue is the same. It's not like any are packed 7 days a week

Edited by Frimley111R on Thursday 21st August 11:31

Edited by Frimley111R on Thursday 21st August 11:31

[Shnozz]

Frimley111R said:

Agree about making it a regualr venue for all local car clubs to meet. I'd go for events down there but am likely to go there 'just because'. TBH I think any motor related venue is the same. It's not like any are packed 7 days a week

The Motorist just outside of Leeds seems to have managed to get a good week round attendance after only a few years. Some club type events, some open day themed nights (Italian cars, classics etc) and then generally a "go to" for car folks to aim for when out for a drive.

[Frimley111R]

Yep, it can be done but they've not quite cracked it here yet.

Get as many car club meets there as possible
Big screen F1 every race
Supercar days/nights etc
Scalextric
Etc

Loads that can be done there

[Monsterwunsch]

Frimley111R said:

Yep, it can be done but they've not quite cracked it here yet.

Get as many car club meets there as possible
Big screen F1 every race
Supercar days/nights etc
Scalextric
Etc

Loads that can be done there

You are right. I remember going to watch the F1 there and was astonished that it wasn't on the TVs. Us and about 3 other tables all asking to have it on, then had to ask again for the sound. Bizarre.

The problem they have is that until they sort the service out, lots of what could be repeat customers just won't bother. Perhaps I speak for myself but the vibes seem off because there's so many people grumpy waiting for food, getting wrong orders, looking at a table full of dirty plates etc. etc. and wondering WTF is going on.

[Richard-390a0]

I assume we've all seen this idiot putting his car in a hedge after leaving there?. It's all over the socials from multiple viewpoints.

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/wiltshire-man-cras...

[John D.]

Yep what a bell. Particularly like how he has doubled down 'on all the haters'

[cliffords]

I do not do any type of social media. I have no accounts anywhere . I do pistons heads only, if that is considered social media. I think of it as a forum.
Anyhow my thoughts is just how much our lives, actions, mistakes etc are now captured and published on SM. Without our consent.

I think it sounds like the fellow is a bit of a twit but he probably feels his mistake has been broadcasted without his permission for all to see and comment on . Except me

[Caddyshack]

I saw a recent update that the police are now investigating.

[rallye101]

This still on? There's a beautiful little fishery/ trout stream by a farm that's round the corner I think....

[ecsrobin]

cliffords said:

I do not do any type of social media. I have no accounts anywhere . I do pistons heads only, if that is considered social media. I think of it as a forum.
Anyhow my thoughts is just how much our lives, actions, mistakes etc are now captured and published on SM. Without our consent.

I think it sounds like the fellow is a bit of a twit but he probably feels his mistake has been broadcasted without his permission for all to see and comment on . Except me

Forums are social media.

I’m sure may of us have a silly moment here and there but to do it leaving a venue that has a very clear motto that’s on signs and merchandise of “don’t be a dick” is idiotic.

Some of the comments across social media seem to suggest he nearly wiped out some people/cars at a car meet the night before and his social media has other posts of him being reckless on public roads so I’m not surprised the police might be taking an interest.

[Frimley111R]

Caddyshack said:

I saw a recent update that the police are now investigating.

This made me laugh, looking for witnesses, there's a fking video of it FFS. https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/25586750...