Lessons in conversation for Newbury restaurant

A Newbury Market Place restaurant has drafted in an expert to teach staff how to converse with customers

IN future, if you find yourself in need of some interesting conversation over the dinner table, you might consider visiting Newbury's Pizza Express.

The Market Place restaurant was recently closed for improvements, and while its interior décor was altered to “create a better ambience” and a “sense of theatre whilst improving the acoustics” the staff were given training in the fine art of conversation.

Classically-trained actor and conversational expert Karl James was called in to advise staff on the finer points of engaging a table in witty banter.

This all forms part of the company's drive to “put good conversation at the centre” of their restaurant.

However, caretaker-manager Rachel Goodship did admit that staff would have to tread a fine line between striking up a conversation to make their customers feel welcome, and disturbing those who just want to be left alone.

She said: “The waiters and managers need to read the customers when they come in, and if they don't look like they want that level of entertainment, then they should leave them to enjoy their food.”