Eating at BLUE PLANET Aquarium, Chester -or not!

[tigerlily]

So we took Eden to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Chester 2 days ago. I brought her lunchbox, as I always do. After we worked up an appetite watching thousands of fish, we headed off to the restaurant. They had the usual kiddie meals and, new, "So Baby" Meals -3 on offer...none of which was dairy-free (even though I know very well that they do 3 dairy-free ones!)
Then I saw a HUGE sign on the wall: "ONLY FOOD BOUGHT AT THE RESTAURANT CAN BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING YOUR OWN FOOD"...or along those lines.
We were outraged and so put off that we left, more because we didn't think they deserved our custom!
I have to say, though, that we have been to many places with Eden already but NO OTHER PLACE had a sign like that!
Won't be rushing back!

Vanessa.

[Lou C]

I'd have just sat down and got her lunchbox out, if they'd have said anything I would have asked them to make me a meal that they could guarantee had no dairy or gluten in, I'm pretty sure they would have accepted that. I think most places won't allow you to eat your own food on the premises unless they have a designated picnic area. I have the same arguement in restaurants, they won't warm food unless it's a sealed jar of babyfood, Zac's now getting to the age where this is no longer appropriate and seeing as some of the "chain" restaerants have nothing suitable for him it means we will no longer be able to eat there.

[goose]

If i had kids, i def make sure i had food with me for them and tell then straight. If they were not happy id ask for them to provide a meal suitable .

[matt]

to be fair they put the sign up as they have to pay to clean the area, could be a franchise that barely makes a profit. if all the vistors just used it as a picnic area then they will go bust. but i doubt that they would have caused a fuss if you had explained. all the supermarket cafes have those signs and most cinemas that i have visited.

[tigerlily]

Well, Matt, I don't know: Blue Planet Chester is the largest Aquarium im the U.K. It costs £ 10 to get in!!! ...and who is to say that the people who eat there aren't litter bugs? Besides, the 2 of us would have eaten there. They had a sign for Nut Allergy sufferers on the wall too -but offer no meals without nuts!!!...and you are not allowed to eat your own food! So if you suffer from a nut allergy you will just have to go hungry there!

Really Lou? We never had anybody say anything about Eden eating things out of her lunchbox, not even in Pizza Hut!

Vanessa.

[matt]

no criticism was intended.

like i said i would have sat down and just got on with it and mentioned the problem had they asked.

they should have a seperate area for people to bring their own food as it isn't on the force people to either leave or buy the food they offer.

[yvie]

I usually just say my daughter has food allergies so Ill be feeding her myself if thats ok, I dont want to have to sue you for poisening her ha ha ha ha.....and ive never had a problem.....worth a go and then if they object you can kick up big time, they wont like that, its bad advertising!

WHy dont you write to head office and mention what you did, they may send you free tickets!