07/10/2010 - Pubs eliminated from guidebook
An increase in complaints about bad service has led to the exclusion of nearly 400 UK pubs from a well-known guidebook.
The Good Pub Guide 2011 has removed some 381 establishments, after four in 10 customers complained about poor service. This compares with three in 10 recorded last year.
Every year the guide is contacted by thousands of customers who criticise or praise their experiences at establishments listed in the guide.
Fiona Stapley, the guide's editor, said: "There are pubs which have never been in the guide which readers feel they simply must warn people against."
Issues raised this year include a smelly roaming dog, dirty or unwelcoming surroundings, TVs being turned up too loud, piped music, a limited selection of choice of beers and complaints about poor quality food.
The guide said: "Another common complaint - in one in nine bad pubs - is of unwelcoming and uncaring staff. A further one in 15 of the thumbs-down reports describe surly, insulting or even aggressive publicans or staff."
Ms Stapley added: "The genuinely warm and personal welcome found in so many of the guide's pubs has become something of a rarity."
The guide found the price of pub food was on average 5% more expensive than last year and a pint of bitter is up 4% to an average £2.80.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
Related links
|
