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The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Karen (18th Feb 2017 - 08:10:35) I'm not normally a person to complain but went in to The Anchor on Friday 17 Feb 2017 twice and was disappointed with the service and cleanliness of the place. First went in to meet with friends for a coffee and a chat at about 1045hrs took 25 minutes to get served at the bar because only one member of staff, eventually someone served me and ordered three coffees he said he would bring them to our table took a further 20 minutes. The second was for something to eat at about 1315hrs. Upon finding a table it was as usual sticky and unwipped sat down ordered at the ba, was told food would take 30 minutes that's fine. When the bucket with the cutlery came out was shocked with the state of it, the cutlery looked like it hadn't been washed at all the bucket itself had sauce droplets on the inside of the top of it. As for the bottom of the tomato sauce bottle that had old fried onion stuck to it. Probably the last meal we will have in there.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Dave Lambert (18th Feb 2017 - 10:23:46) Don't complain on this website send and e'mail to Greene King and give them all the facts then the staff in Liphook will get a kick up the backside. Phone head office there number is 01284//763222. Good luck.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - ian (18th Feb 2017 - 12:28:16) It's not known as the Sticky Anchor for no reason. Shame as with a bit more cleaning and better service it could be superb as a family friendly, value for money destination. The issue primarily lies with Green King who need to invest time and money into the place. Wish they would sell it to Weatherspoons!!

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Jen (18th Feb 2017 - 20:14:15) I think if I had waited 45 minutes for a cup of coffee I wouldn't have gone back to the same place for lunch!

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Karen (19th Feb 2017 - 09:41:50) Hi David. My wife did their feedback form at the same time. It's a shame it's gone downhill, this was our local for years growing up and she still has family there. We still see it as our local really. Hopefully it will turn around soon

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - cg (19th Feb 2017 - 17:22:15) i don't know why people go there, i certainly wouldn't eat there. if you saw the state of the place round the back, it's disgusting! complain to green king , and good luck ! it's a shame they've allowed it to become so run down

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Jayne (19th Feb 2017 - 20:16:39) You get what you pay for The anchor is a vile place and greatly lets Liphook down - it's such a shame to have it as the main pub in the centre. I have only been a few times and decided to never go back along with everyone else I know. I have heard some bad stories about the place and apparently it's just getting worse... It needs new management and a huge refurb, to appeal more to the demographic in Liphook!

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Jen (19th Feb 2017 - 22:30:49) Jayne, it clearly does appeal to lots of people though! It's often very busy, so presumably those people are not put off. Personally, I think it's pretty awful. I've just looked at their menu online and there isn't a single thing on it that I would want to order! However, the Anchor isn't the only place to eat in Liphook. Thankfully, we also have the Green Dragon, the Links and the Deers Hut, so there should be something for everyone.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - LAC (19th Feb 2017 - 22:44:17) My understanding is that it's one of the oldest pubs in England and used to be an ancient Coaching Inn. It's accommodated the great and the good of the country for centuries. On the main coaching route from London Capital to the naval port of Portsmouth, its accommodated some of the great names in history. As a relative newcomer to Liphook (20 years and counting) I'm always amazed that such a historic building looks as though it was built in the 60s and has such an ignored history. An owner with vision is needed to capitalise on this. Its on the edge of the national park and close to a main road and a railway station. Forget the freezer food and run down interior and soak up the history of a place which would have our American friends drooling!

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - liz (20th Feb 2017 - 08:37:52) As long as Greene King's 'pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap' Hungry Horse business model continues to pull in the cash for them it's unlikely to change. The Anchor could be a lovely village pub and hotel but I suspect the amount of money that needs to be spent after many years of neglect to the upper floors and the stripping out of much of the original features (years ago) would make this prohibitive. - This is probably why Greene King have it as a 'Hungry Horse' rather than one of it's 'Old English Inns' which, the company claims, are "some of England's most historic pubs, inns and hotels".

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Mandy (20th Feb 2017 - 15:46:20) I love the anchor maybe if you want top service and coffee u could go to old Thorns Starbucks. If they're short staffed it's not the staffs fault you need to complain to the management, and not on here, you're not proving a thing

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Dave Lambert (27th Feb 2017 - 15:57:25) I agree with Mandy. I visited the Hungry Horse on Sunday 26th. February with my wife, son and two daughters and there partners and seven grandchildren. In total we had sixteen meals and everyone was served perfectly. There has been a lot of moaning on this thread and rightly so if you feel that you have not had a good deal. At the same time I feel it is only right to praise the Hungry Horse when thing are to your satisfaction. So well done to the Hungry Horse and all the staff for a very pleasant evening. Keep up the good work. We will be back again. Dave Lambert.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - P Weyland (28th Feb 2017 - 12:16:30) The quality dropped rapidly after the previous management team (Jez & Petra) were drafted up to run a new-build Green King establishment. No-one since then has been able to match the quality and service that they provided. There was a time when I wouldn't entertain going to the 2 for 1 in Bordon for a meal but now feel that the 2 for 1 has improved whilst the Anchor has declined. A real shame as that was my local not only for a drink but also for family meals. In their defense, its not all bad all the time - just a bit 'hit and miss'

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Mandy (1st Mar 2017 - 17:34:05) Well said Mr lambert

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - KM (14th Mar 2017 - 16:03:12) Not all Hungry Horses are the same I went home to visit my family this weekend very impressed with the one at Drake House Mill - To be fair it' s the management, staff & company resources that are mainly at fault when I first moved to Liphook about 20 years ago The Hungry Horse in the Square was fantastic never doubted taking visitors there they all loved clean good food & service - Sadly due to falling standards I haven't set foot in the place for some 5 years - not surprised the tables are still sticky Shame but times aren't what they were!!

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Buster blood vessel (14th Mar 2017 - 21:20:11) If you don't like it don't go! It is second rate, but if that is what suits you pocket then why not. Have a cheap beer and go to the kebab van, perhaps? There are 3 other pubs that serve far better food and beer, so miss out a few visits and spend your money elsewhere. The fact that an historic listed building can be neglected is beyond me? Maybe the parish council should step in? The building is far more important than the tree, don't you think? PS not aimed at any specific post.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Suzanne (30th Mar 2017 - 21:20:34) We went to the Anchor Tuesday evening. Not bad food considering it was £5 per head. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Can't be faulted really. I do agree with Buster that the building is so historic and should be cared for as it is looking very tired and totally different to the hotel that we knew when growing up.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Mrs C (31st Mar 2017 - 08:17:02) I sent Head Office an email upon a recent visit as the table was disgusting. More grime on the table than on a football pitch. Took photos for evidence.

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Terry Smithers (31st Mar 2017 - 13:31:14) The Royal Anchor is Grade II listed, unfortunately though, and shamefully, there is apparently little that can be done if the owner of an historic or listed building allows it to deteriorate:    DUTY UNDER STATUTE Other than the duties under the Occupiers’ Liability Act already mentioned, there are few if any duties under statute. The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act merely states that a planning authority has the power to intervene to carry out urgent works to keep the wind and weather out. It may then seek to recover the cost of such works from the owner. However, a planning authority will often choose to wait before taking any action in the hope that the property changes hands. The service of a repairs notice is another option, but only if the authority is prepared to buy the property – or is at least prepared to think of doing so. In effect, issuing a repairs notice tells the owner that the authority considers that it is necessary to carry out certain works, specified in a schedule to the notice, if the building is to be preserved. That in turn enables the owner to see what he has to do if he is to avoid the property being compulsorily purchased and sold on to someone who will do the works. Despite these two measures, there is no general duty, either under statute or at common law, on the owner or occupier of a building to do anything to stop it falling into a state of advanced decay – although that may expose the owner to the risk of being served a building repairs notice and, ultimately, compulsory purchase. In some (but not all) cases allowing a building to decay may also be unwise commercially. In other words, although there is much encouragement from central government to keep a listed building in good repair, there is no actual duty on owners to do so. Here, too, it would be surprising if the law were otherwise, since it is difficult to see how any such duty would be enforced where a person was unable or unwilling to comply. buildingconservation.com/...

Re: The Royal Anchor, Liphook - Bob the brickie (2nd Apr 2017 - 08:42:08) Popped in for some grub the other evening and have to say that the food was good. 5 of us eating and all meals were good. Waiting staff attentive as usual and quite cheery as well 😄

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