At Craigavon and Portadown outlets, I'm increasingly frustrated at seeing only Trainee Barista on the T-shirts and no other staff members.

Some of my frustration is empathy and due to the difficult customers they have to deal with, and on more than one occasion at a coffee shop, I've intervened on behalf of staff or asked them how their day is going: my wife was a waitress and barista, so I have a sense of their frustrations.

The absence of good customer service training is often apparent as tables are left uncleared and the floor is littered with food crumbs. Which is just an unpleasant customer experience but if no senior team members or staff available then perhaps another coffee shop becomes a better choice?

Strangely, I have yet to receive a negative experience at the Newry Cafe Nero, so whoever is managing that venue, well done.

So please, stop leaving the Trainee Barista unsupervised as they need support and encouragement as customer understanding, only extends so far when paying for a service.