A festive meal at a Norfolk pub turned into a Christmas Day nightmare for dozens of diners after a reported staff walkout led to a complete service collapse, leaving families without their £90-a-head dinners.
Chaos and Tears at The Golden Fleece
The debacle unfolded at The Golden Fleece pub in Norfolk, where guests, including families and elderly couples, had booked for a special Christmas lunch. According to Midlands couple Julie and Jamie Dooley, the problems began almost immediately. After being served Prosecco on arrival, diners waited over an hour for their starters.
Julie Dooley, a 47-year-old business manager, described witnessing kitchen staff arguing before a chef took off his jacket and walked out. "At that point, things really started to change in terms of the atmosphere," she said. "We had a member of staff serving us, and she was actually in tears." Multiple employees were reportedly seen crying as they struggled to cope with the escalating chaos.
'Fawlty Towers' Festive Fiasco
Jamie Dooley, 47, who witnessed heated arguments while trying to get drinks, said the scene was one of total disarray. "There was just so much chaos going on. One staff member appeared to be working alone," he explained. After approximately two and a half hours, the devastating news was delivered: the kitchen had closed and would serve no more food.
Some guests had to leave after only their starter, while others, like diner Graham Fuller, received a phone call just 45 minutes before their 3pm booking, cancelling it without explanation. Fuller, who had paid a £75 deposit and a £195 balance, was left "furious" and with no food in his holiday home. The experience has been widely compared to the classic BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.
Refunds and Apologies After Ruined Christmas
The fallout left visitors "frustrated and heartbroken". One woman was reportedly in tears and struggling to breathe from distress, while an elderly couple who rarely went out received nothing. Jamie Dooley believes management should have intervened sooner. "The managers should have shut the pub down the day before," he stated.
In the aftermath, the pub sent an email promising refunds within five days. On December 31, The Golden Fleece posted on Facebook that it was "temporarily closed" due to "unforeseen circumstances," apologising sincerely to all guests. They added they were trying to contact anyone with upcoming bookings. The pub has been approached for further comment.
