A dog-friendly pub with hundreds of five-star reviews has hit back at a disgruntled customer who complained a dog was ‘begging for food’ at his table.
The Clickham Inn in Blencow, Cumbria – voted the second-best restaurant in Penrith on Tripadvisor – received a disparaging review from dissatisfied customer John, from Durham, who criticised the customer service and disruptive dogs.
But the traditional pub posted a strongly-worded response to the rating, declaring that the diner was rude and ‘we are all collectively really happy that you will never be returning’.
The critical customer wrote on the travel website: ‘Where to start? I was going to write a long negative review but you would probably get bored with reading through all the issues.
The Clickham Inn in Blencow, near Penrith, hit back at a one-star review its received on Tripadvisor
‘Main issue was the owner (Steve) who was so rude, abrupt and has zero customer service skills.
‘If you like a dog barking at your table begging for food off your plate then hey ho it maybe for you.
‘The young waiters/waitresses were fine but when we asked for the dessert menu we were told the kitchen had closed.
John, from Durham, criticised the traditional pub’s customer service and a disruptive dog barking at the table
‘Out table was booked at 8pm for my wife’s birthday – we had starters, mains and several glasses of wine, drinks etc.
‘Steve rudely explained that the chef had been in all day and was wanting to get home.
‘When asked about his dog begging at everyone’s table, his reply was “Its a dog- friendly pub”.
‘He continued to emphasise that his customers come for the food – which was OK…#standard.
‘How this restaurant/pub is 2nd on TripAdvisor is beyond me.
‘My wife’s birthday surprise meal was ruined by a very hostile owner STEVE…you need to go on a course for customer service!!
But the pub, which describes itself as an ‘inviting and dog friendly’ restaurant, retaliated with a response that they said would expose ‘the truth’.
The pub – rated the second best restaurant in Penrith on Tripadvisor – responded to the review saying that the customer was ‘rude and dismissive’ during his visit
Geri B, labelled as owner of The Clickham Inn on Tripadvisor, wrote: ‘This review was expected and anyone who read your nasty words will be interested to read the truth.
‘Firstly, upon entering, your entitled, self-important self was rude and dismissive of our helpful staff to the point that the staff warned me about the terrible people on table 15.
‘After being escorted to your table and a short while after your drinks order being carried to your table, an experienced member of our staff asked if you were ready to order.
‘This was met with how you wanted to wait until your ready to order and how amateur we were for asking.
‘Well the rudeness continued throughout your meal to the point that both staff members were mentioning your attitude to me in disgust.
‘I approached your table where you tried to berate me because I hadn’t introduced myself to you upon arrival.
‘You proceeded to talk over me and had an opinion on everything, I tried three times to explain that we are a dog-friendly country pub that produces good quality home cooked food and not a full blown restaurant.
‘Your anger was quite ridiculous when at 9.45pm you asked to see the sweet menu and was informed that the kitchen closed at 9pm, which is not early at all.
‘Ordinarily we would have made your sweets, regardless of the time but you were not going to be rewarded for your bad behaviour.
‘I suspect your entitled and over opinionated rudeness probably has a little to do with why your restaurant in America failed, as you told me.
‘We are all collectively really happy that you will never be returning as we are known for being attentive and polite and it’s easy being nice to nice people.
the Clickham Inn has received hundreds of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, praising the service and food
‘Folk can read hundreds of our great reviews and then read yours, which do you think is typical of good folks experience. I imagine your review says more about you than anything else.’
Meanwhile, five-star reviews of the village pub have praised the ‘lovely, friendly service’ and another commented on the ‘cosy surroundings and excellent quality food’.
After visiting in November, another said: ‘This must be one of the best Sunday lunches we’ve ever had.’
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