I have been a loyal customer since 2010, and have enjoyed lunches, afternoon teas, and brunches with family and friends at Maryville over the past 14 years. I have always considered the setting very inviting and have many memorable moments of sharing birthday and hen parties, or casual catch-ups over tea and traybakes, at the Establishment. I have highly recommended your business to friends and family, and lauded your afternoon tea as the best I have ever had (beating the likes of Harvey's Point, Galgorm Spa, the Merchant, Lough Erne, Grand Central etc). Although the quality and consistency of the food and service have considerably dipped since the pandemic, I was always very happy to remain loyal and support an independent business, spending money on gift vouchers and (arguably over-priced) lunches. It is very much with regret, then, that I have made the hard decision to never return. After enjoying a cup of coffee on a recent Saturday, I inquired about booking Mother's Day afternoon tea before paying for my hot beverage. I presented the money charge - as stated on the menu. However, the waitress charged a different figure. When I pointed out the price on the menu, she apologised and agreed, but upon checking this with a more senior member of staff (dark hair, fringe, tattoos) I was told (by this senior member) that, no, there isn't a discrepancy and that the higher price is what I had to pay. I could easily have made the point that the miscommunication in prices (between staff and what is printed on the menu) is not my fault. However, for the sake of relations (and not wanting to communicate with the abrupt, and quite frankly, ignorant tone I had sadly been met with), I paid the higher price, knowing that Maryville will ultimately pay the higher price: the loss of a longtime loyal customer. I am deeply regretful because I would have enjoyed my usual birthday treat there, weekly coffee/lunch, and a Mother's Day afternoon tea, but, sadly, this won't be the case. There are plenty of other establishments on the Lisburn Road that have since appreciated my custom rather than treating me with derision, devaluation and dismissal. I don't normally write poor reviews, but I was so saddened and disheartened that I had to reach out.t just isn't fair and no one deserves to be treated this way, especially in a cost of living crisis where money should be spent well in places where quality, service and experience are nothing but the best.…