WITH internet sites such as Google, Facebook and TripAdvisor all giving customers the opportunity to leave a scathing review, serving some grub to a keyboard warrior in a bad mood can be crippling to a business.

But when a punter left a one-star review for Northwich bistro The Boat Yard, despite admitting the food was ‘delicious’, the owners showed perfectly how sometimes it’s best to just laugh it off.

The reviewer took to Google last week to vent her anger at the staff’s dress code during the high temperatures, leaving a rating of one out of five – which stands out among a list of five-star reviews.

The reviewer wrote: “Food’s delicious. Appalled the management and owners are forcing the staff to wear high neck tops in the kitchen, black long pants, black shirts on the hottest day of the year on record.

“It made me feel sick to watch them suffer and it put me off my food and other on lookers too. They looked wet, poorly, up and down the stairs with an open kitchen. When I asked ‘why aren’t you in smart light wear for the importance of your health?’, the member of staff said they're not allowed.

“We're disgusted they care more about appearance than the health and safety of their employees. We'd rather see happy healthy staff serving our food and not slaves. It's a shame because the foods lovely but we're not encouraging that disgusting behaviour.”

Co-owner of the family-run bistro, Brad Bates, responded to the reviwer explaining that waiting staff are free to wear what they feel comfortable in.

Northwich Guardian:

Co-owner of The Boat Yard, Brad Bates

He wrote: “Can I just start by saying I'm happy that your food was delicious, I take great pride in the dishes/food, I cook and serve.

“Two out of the three staff on the floor owned the restaurant, staff are free to wear what they feel comfortable, as long as it is smart. So the choices that the staff choose to wear sadly I cannot control.

All our staff are happy, with us. Just don't judge a book by its appearance.

“As for the kitchen, the chef whites we wear, are a requirement by health and hygiene, implemented by our local council. It’s more for our own safety, we spill hot oil on them, they prevent third degree burns and a trip the local A&E. Other clothing just has no protection and sadly we cannot take that risk. Again another owner/manager was in there tonight. So three of us was in tonight.

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“If you felt so strongly about this you should have seen one of the owners, instead of trying to disregard us on an online platform, but two sides to every story.”

After giving an explanation, the owners decided to make light of the poor review – at the expense of co-owner John Bates.

Northwich Guardian:

Co-owner John Bates trying out a new outfit

A picture of John was posted on social media trying out a new attire.

A topless John was pictured on the terrace with the caption: “Tonight I’m starting my new job at The Boat Yard bistro where I believe it's hot hot hot, so I have picked my dress code because I don't want the customers thinking I’m poorly. So if your’e passing spare a thought for poor old me and pop in.”