Quite simply if the criticism is unfounded then of course we will take the time to reply (if individual email addresses were posted we would reply individually). These aren't constructive criticisms, they're just vengeful and say more about the individual than what The FleaPit offers. We are NEVER rude for the sake of it, what's the point of opening a business to do that? Not to mention it would be counterproductive. However, if people are rude to us or give us cause to be assertive (note the difference with being rude), then we do what we need to make sure that things run the way they should. We're not going to take abuse from customers just because they are a customer. We're going to stand up for what we do and not let ourselves be bullied. If someone sneaks in a dog then we will insist that they remove it as we don't allow dogs, if they refuse then we have to keep insisting at the risk of being considered rude. If someone takes a drink outside and we alert them to the fact that we don't allow that and they insist on staying outside with the drink anyways then we have to insist they bring it in at the risk of being considered rude. If someone refuses to pay what they have agreed to pay then it is within our right to deal with that in our way. Nothing we ever say or do is ever UNPROVOKED, people should take a good look at their actions and understand why they've had the particular experience they've had. As stated below there's a very specific reason why at least 2 of the reviews are there, and we can guarantee an explanation for any aggressive and unconstructive review that appears. Again, there have been thousands of happy customers over the years, and we know that because they come again and again and we are running strong.By the way, we're not watching this site, it just happens that we get an email alert when something is posted. - Report

My experience in the Flea Pit was not related to the Party you mention. The staff were un-friendly & a similar incident with a drink being taken out side innocently - resulted in the Manager calling my boyfriend a ******. The service is rude & the crap coffee over priced. I wouldn't go back, so many much friendlier & better establishments on Columbia Rd, minus the bad attitude! - Report

What you say is a contradiction in terms. If you took a drink outside 'innocently' or not, you still took it outside, and if the staff asked you to bring it back in it is for a reason. No one there has ever sworn at a customer, that would just be a ridiculous and unprofessional thing to do. The other side of the coin is if a staff member of an establishment appears rude or assertive with their requests, it is likely to be as a direct reaction to surliness on the part of the customer. People in the service industry are human and should be treated as such. Unfortunately not all customers realise this and think they are above everyone else. Again, we have had thousands of very happy customers over the years, and people usually comment on how much they enjoyed the coffee as they leave on a Sunday. If it is your opinion the coffee is not good fortunately there are 1000 times as many more people who do enjoy it and their time at The FleaPit. - Report

I have worked in the service industry for a number of years.. and never have been as rude as the staff are here. I think politeness goes a long way & our experience (there was a 5 of us who all heard him say that to my boyfriend) was poor all round.

- Report

Actually, tea is £1.90 for a pot, and nor being able to give change for a £10 note was probably due to the fact that The FleaPit had been so busy that all the change was gone. - Report