‘Cowardly’ customer told by top rated pub... ‘DON’T COME BACK!’
BAD ONLINE REVIEW GETS A STINGING RESPONSE
A HIGHLY rated pub whose ribs are “to die for” has told a diner who left a “cowardly” TripAdvisor review that they are no longer welcome.
Bosses at the Cricketts Inn did not hold back replying to a guest moaning about their fish, despite eating nearly all of it without complaint.
The Cricketts Inn is listed in the Top 10 places to eat out in Swadlincote on TripAdvisor and boasts a four-star average rating from 638 reviews – more than 430 of which are “good” or “excellent”.
However, in a review entitled “Ouch!”, one guest claimed that they only ate as much as they did “out of embarrassment”.
The diner criticised the “bland” fish dish and the quality of his daughter’s jackfruit burger.
In a patronising comment, the diner slammed the price and taste of their meal at the Acresford Road eatery. They said they “may consider returning” if the restaurant “take something away from our review and get back to basics, but do it exceptionally well”.
But they failed to mention pub bosses had gone out of their way to fit the diner’s party in at 10 minutes’ notice. And in a stinging response, bosses revealed the guest had raised no issues when asked about their meal in February.
Corinne Gill, landlady at the Burton Road pub, noted that the customer had eaten three quarters of the fish dish, and had not said anything when offered the chance to give feedback in person. That was on top of being fitted in with just 10 minutes’ notice on the day they visited the pub, which wished the diner – who claimed to be a business owner – “all the karma you are deserving of”.
The response pulled no punches, saying: “Please do not bother returning to our establishment as you are not welcome. Cowardice without a voice during service when we were good enough to fit you in at ten minutes’ notice.”
Other guests have highly praised the pub, which has recently had new management and an overhaul to its interior and menu.
One said: “Lovely family lunch after Twycross Zoo, ribs are to die for! The food is lovely and tasty. Kids enjoyed it and we are made to feel very welcome as a family. Highly recommend.”
Another posted: “Thank you so much to the manager for being so welcoming, we stayed on here last night for free.
“Wonderful views. I had king prawns in garlic and chilli oil, huge prawns, was gorgeous. My hubby, sirloin steak – perfect. There is a large beer garden with lovely seating areas and firepits.”
One five-star review said: “Just been today and had a fabulous lunch with my oldies. Both in their 90s, we struggle with places accessible for them both.
“No problem here as there is a ramp so no stairs to contend with. Lovely friendly landlord and landlady, helpful and chatty.
“I had the garlic and chilli prawn light lunch. It was delicious. Love that it had a bit of a kick, massive
portion too.
“The wife had soup as her main course, broccoli and stilton. Looked delightful, she asked for a cob and she really enjoyed it.
“He had loaded potato skins for starters, followed by a sirloin steak
cooked just the way he asked for. I left them both enjoying their meals.
“Beautiful country pub, fab beer garden, and the landlord said there was entertainment on this weekend. Will definitely visit again with my husband. Thank you.”