Around The Clock

Definition for customer service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The staff at this store could do with learning the meaning of this. On purchasing some chocolate at this store today I noticed the chocolate went through the till at 70p instead of the 50p they were advertised at. When I mentioned this to who I assume was the manager he became extremely defensive and said that it didn’t say 50p on the packet. I showed him the rest of the chocolate on the shelf that did have the 50p price tag on, to which he responded «It’s a different line of stock.» — how that is my problem I don’t know. When my friend put the chocolate back on the shelf to change for another that was priced correctly the manager then said across the shop floor «Don’t throw the stock about kid.» — my friend (who incidentally is not a «kid» but is 23 years old) did not throw anything, and only swapped the chocolate. Needless to say I opted against my purchase in the end and walked out of the place empty handed. This isn’t the first time I’ve been spoken to in this way at this store and I shan’t be shopping there again. Not a pleasant experience.

Absolutely fantastic shop, the snacks it sells are quirky and delicious and often hard to find in conventional newsagents.
The best thing about it? The mammoth sandwiches! So huuuuuge and yet so cheap!

This little shop sells at least one of most things. It is a super-​convenience store, if there is such a genre. It sells good sandwiches — all of the ones I’ve tried in my many lunch brakes have had a generous amount of mayonnaise on — as well as croissants, fruit, small boxes of cereal, biscuits and many varieties of crisps. The chaps behind the till offer a friendly remark to every customer even if there is a constant stream of them as there often is during lunchtimes. My favorite is the guy who says ‘thanking you’! They are open really early so you can get a paper before work, even on a Sunday. Kate’s anecdote about the rap-​song about tooth paste is great and when I used to work opposite this shop I regularly witnessed similar, amusing impromptu performances!

Around The Clock is more than just a convenience store. Of course, it does sell the items you would expect to find, a healthy selection of magazines, and a wide range of snacks and sweets.
However, the staff at this branch on the Headrow are so friendly. My dad was recently in Leeds on business and he had forgotten to bring any toothpaste with him. Sure, people remind you never to forget your toothbrush, but where is the same warning for its matching paste? An oversight.
We were going for a few drinks at Mr Foley’s and supper at Tampopo, when we made the detour into Around The Clock to remedy the problem. My dad politely asked the guy behind the counter of its whereabouts, and the three men who were serving in the shop started singing an impromptu rap-​cum-​song about toothpaste! An excellent moment in the day.
After being touched by their camaraderie, we bought a few other items, and left feeling uplifted and amused in equal measures. The performances are not scheduled, but do pop in any time for brilliant customer service of a well stocked local shop.