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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Dayna Farrington & Kieren Williams

Pub owner's cutting response to diner who complained food was 'overpriced'

One pub owner left a cutting sarcastic response to an online review about his restaurant, in which one disgruntled diner complained the customer service at the pub was ‘non-existent’.

The Plough Inn, near Bewdley, Worcestershire, is one of the top-rated pubs in the area and received rave reviews in the past for its carveries.

But not all customers left satisfied and full, and one reviewer left a lengthy tirade that went so far the boss of the Far Forest pub responded to, and they didn’t hold back, BirminghamLive reported .

The Plough Inn has a 3.5 rating on TripAdvisor, with over 1,100 reviews of which nearly 500 are excellent.

Other reviewers have described the restaurant as “highly recommended” and how they “can’t wait to go back again”.

However, one reviewer named Judith, visited on New Year’s Day and left a one-star rating.

The unhappy diner was upset that only carveries were available on the day of her visit (shared content unit)

Owner Mark, replied sarcastically thanking her for her “priceless” review.

Judith claimed she had been told when she booked her table, that the full menu would be available on New Years Day.

But when they arrived they were told only the caveries were on offer, leaving two people unable to eat.

She also added that the customer service was “non-existent”.

Her review said: "Upon booking a family table and being told on the phone that the full menu was available as two of our party do not eat meat (pescatarian) so fish was an option we looked forward to our meal.

"But on arrival we were told that it was carvery with pudding only and the only veggie option needed 30 minutes to cook, but we were unable to order this due to food allergies.

“So unfortunately two of our party were unable to order a meal and they did not offer any alternative meal.

"My father over the years has used The Plough for many a meal, he found the price had gone up and the plates where smaller no information was advertised on the website customer service was non-existent would not recommend this place.

"The price of the carvery with a compulsory pudding which was £23 each, this price was the same for children, personally I heard several complaints about the place whilst sipping my extremely overpriced beer.

The diner complained about compulsory puddings with the meal (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"My father won’t visit again and has put the word around, so several customers lost, I will never visit again the service is best part useless and overpriced to almost legal extortion. Regardless of being New Year's Day."

And The Plough's owner, Mark, responded: "Hi Judith, thank you for your priceless review, maybe if I’d have paid for it, it may have been a little more constructive.

"Obviously your father is a an intelligent man, using The Plough over the years, but let’s hope he’s not guided by you in the future.

"There are many of other carvery’s around, on the whole cheaper but must say, I think they should be called CRAPERYS, that’s why the price reflects.

"Now saying that, our three course deal is now on £10 YES TEN POUNDS mealy legal extortion, what do you think? Mark."

The pub has had some top reviews in the past - with one diner thanking staff for "an amazing meal" two weeks ago.

They wrote: "Absolutely fantastic! Went for a birthday meal and £10 for 3 courses and they are not cheap crappy courses they are amazing!!

"I had stilton mushrooms to start and they was outstanding, carvery for main brilliant! My dad had the steak and that looked incredible and chocolate fudge cake with custard to end the meal!

"Highly recommended! Cannot wait to visit again! Thankyou the Plough for an amazing meal."

While Kirsty Bates visited in December she said: "Visited with partner and mom. Friendly staff.

"The boss will always make conversation with me no matter what he is doing very polite and nice man. There is nothing I don't like about this place. I love it.

"My carvery was amazing but the food always is."

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