Outside.co.uk Reviews Summary

Customer Service

Pros:

• "Expert advice from friendly experienced staff."
• "James ran me through all of the options and possibilities, discussed the pros and cons of each."
• "One of the UKs best specialist outdoor shops, all the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the cafe is exceptional and there are always some bargains to be had!"
• "The staff are all walkers and climbers themselves so they are really, helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic."
• "Staff are very knowledgeable and helpful to novice climbers and walkers."
• "It is rare these days to experience true honest and good customer service from someone expert in what they sell."
• "The gentleman at the shoe section is clearly experienced in mountaineering."

Cons:

• "He was not very helpful but suddenly tootled to counter to serve someone else, fair enough, but he never came back."
• "Service a bit slow and disorganised even though not busy."
• "The mustached, mullet headed salesperson was condescending and unhelpful."
• "The cafe staff were not very engaging at all."
• "First member of staff completely blanked me."
• "The guy in the shoe department didn't offer much advice to my son when he was trying on his approach shoes."
• "When I eventually got the attention of another member of staff they grunted at me and pointed at a fine selection of woman's base layers."

Product Selection and Quality

Pros:

• "Brilliant shop, got verifying that you could ever need for outdoor equipment from camping to climbing and loads more."
• "Climbing hardware always quite competitively priced."
• "One of the UKs best specialist outdoor shops, all the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the cafe is exceptional and there are always some bargains to be had!"
• "It's a excellent shop, great prices, top quality clothing, footwear, etc."
• "The range of mountain equipment was also very impressive."
• "Quality outdoor clothing and equipment."
• "Overall the store is great for all sorts of outdoor equipment."

Cons:

• "Hugely overpriced most items 30-40% higher then obtainable elsewhere for these brands."
• "A really useful outward bound sort of shop but the products tend to be the more expensive sort."
• "Great selection of quality outdoor clothing which is on average 20% more expensive than online retailers."
• "Shop is too expensive for me but upstairs is proper no frills cafe for walkers."
• "Disappointing for its size it seems to be aimed at people who require expensive clothing and novelties rather than serious camping equipment."
• "Prices have gone up considerably... it feels like they are trying to make up for lost money during covid closures and the customers are paying that loss."
• "Some prices are on the high side in store which is a shame."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "Great cafe upstairs, brilliant prices and fantastic food."
• "The food is excellent and the 'choose what you have' breakfast is famous in The Peak District."
• "Enjoyed the cafe upstairs had a delicious beef curry."
• "The cafe at Outside is a place of pilgrimage for anyone into climbing or hiking. Great food at very reasonable prices."
• "Cafe is great and reasonably priced."
• "We also spent time in the cafe above the shop, which served lovely food."
• "Upstairs is a great little cafe. Hot tasty food at reasonable prices and really nice staff."

Cons:

• "No choice, they only do traditional breakfast before 12 o'clock."
• "Waited 45minutes for food, tea was cold."
• "The cafe reminded me of the one in the Apprentice where the losers have to go."
• "Cafe decent for a quick bite to eat, although they need to up their coffee game."
• "Breakfast menu is slightly confusing and not as much choice as there has been in the past."
• "Cafe OK but not overexciting. Food OK."
• "The oatcake had been fried and not drained there was hardly a rashers of bacon 3 very small pieces but loads if cheese. Far too greasy and no flavour."