A bar owner’s response to a one-star review on TripAdvisor went viral after he told the customer: ‘Please don’t die a slow and painful death.’
The Oxton Bar and Kitchen on the Wirral was accused of employing a waitress who was a ‘bully’ and who ‘badgered’ a customer.
A user, known as ‘Wilkin316’, was asked by a waitress if they were ready to order from their food menu and whether they wanted another drink.
The review, which was titled ‘Awful!’, read: ‘Immediately we got through the door we were badgered about whether we wanted food or ‘just a drink’.
The Oxton Bar and Kitchen on the Wirral was accused of employing a waitress who was a ‘bully’
‘Immediately we got through the door we were badgered about whether we wanted food or ‘just a drink’.
‘What they maybe thought was being attentive came across as almost bullying, at the least very irritating.’
They ended their review by writing they would not return to the bar after reading about in the Good Beer Guide.
But the bar’s owner, Mike Atkinson, hit back and wrote a response on Instagram and uploaded a picture of the review so their 904 followers could see it.
He claimed he saw the ‘altercation’ the customer had with the waitress and sarcastically wrote: ‘I was there to witness the atrocious behaviour.’
Mr Atkinson wrote: ‘Oh Wilkin316 how will I survive if you never grace us with your loathing hateful presence again.
‘I was there to witness the atrocious behaviour of @Eli_Watsonn greet you and ask if you were eating or drinking, how dare she attempt to determine your needs.
‘And when you sat there for 45 minutes before ordering your 2 portions of average chips and an omelette, I was as shocked as you that she dared inquire if you were ready to order more than once.
The TripAdvisor review, from ‘wilkin316’, claimed they were ‘badgered’ about whether they wanted food or ‘just a drink’
‘I’ve reprimanded her severely and ensure she will never offer any of you anymore drinks again. Please don’t die a slow and painful death. All my love and remorse, Mike x’
His response has been received a number of positive comments, with many people applauding Mr Atkinson for standing up to the customer.
Instagram user @bredddo wrote: ‘Yes! I’ve been waiting for this reply since you told me! Excellent way to end the week!’
Rikki Doyle added: ‘Absolutely hilarious mike. Cannot fault @oxtonbarandkitchen some people are just after a freebie for a pointless complete. Not expecting to be slapped down properly.’
Joanna Karatas added: ‘Brilliant! I absolutely despise TripAdvisor and all the vindictive Egon Ronay wannabes that contribute to it.
However, some people disagreed with Mr Atkinson’s approach and Michelle Caplin-Duffy said: ‘Why call the person names? They’re entitled to their review.
‘It’s how you reply to complaints which shows how professional you are and slagging them off publicly doesn’t look good on you at all.’