Italian restaurant Don Giovanni has clapped back at a ‘vulgar’ reviewer following a comment that was left on the business’s Facebook page.
Bosses at the establishment have asked for customers to ‘be kind’ whilst dining at their restaurant after receiving negative feedback in which a customer called a waitress a “little scrote.”
The woman also said that the service she had received was “appalling” and that should would “never” be returning to the multi-award-winning restaurant after having been left to wait 20 minutes for a drinks order.
In response, the restaurant replied to the comments in detail, stating that they were “not a fast food restaurant” but a “fine dining” establishment that “serve our food fresh, not out of a microwave.”
The team also said: “Please refrain from using vulgar language towards our staff online or in person. Our team are hardworking, passionate and dedicated to”
“We can appreciate that the road out of lockdown has been turbulent and we are beyond happy to welcome you all again into our restaurant each week. their roles within the Don Giovanni family.”
As well as replying to the Facebook review itself, the restaurant team also screenshotted the conversation and uploaded it to their Instagram page with a message asking “please be kind.”
Image: Don Giovanni
In the Instagram caption, the restaurant team took the time to share some statistics highlighting the issues that have blighted the hospitality industry in the past two years – including the fact that the vacancy rate in the sector is now around 10 percent, stating that 3,000 unfilled jobs are currently being advertised in Manchester alone.
The full post read:
“PLEASE BE KIND WHILE YOU DINE.
“We can appreciate that the road out of lockdown has been turbulent and we are beyond happy to welcome you all again into our restaurant each week.
“All we ask is that you be kind while you dine.
“We understand not everyone works within the hospitality industry and might not have a complete understanding of the vulnerable position our industry is in.
“Here are a few things worth noting:
• The vacancy rate is now around 10% (200,000 staff across the UK and 3000 solely in Manchester) • 1/5 workers have left our sector since the start of the pandemic • Each hospitality business came out of lockdown at the same time meaning that every business is now on the look out for staff
“Anything you find unsatisfactory can be raised with your server or our managers during your visit. They will be more than happy to help rectify the situation.
“Please refrain from using vulgar language towards our staff online or in person. Our team are hardworking, passionate and dedicated to their roles within the Don Giovanni family.
“We thank you for your continued support.”
The post has been liked hundreds of times, but there have been some mixed messages in the comment section.
Asked for comment, Don Giovanni’s general manager Allel said: “As a premium, well oiled, city centre establishment I would say we have seen it all – but these are exceptional times we are in.”
“We have a long-standing management team, who take pride in what they do and the dining experience of each guest.
“On the rare occasion when it doesn’t go to plan, as management we take that personally and do all we can to rectify that situation.
“But as management, we must protect our staff and our business, and such incredibly rude behaviour and language simply will not be tolerated by us.
“Yes, if someone is unhappy we welcome that being brought to our attention, but abuse and vulgar language being used to describe our member of staff is simply unacceptable to us.”
Feature image – Don Giovanni
News
‘Eyesore’ Northern Quarter car park to be redeveloped as ambitious new neighbourhood
Emily Sergeant
An underused multi-storey car park in the heart of the city centre is set to be sold and redeveloped as an ‘ambitious’ new neighbourhood.
The ‘eyesore’ car park situated in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into what Manchester City Council is hoping will become a green and sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the ‘unique and independent’ ethos of the area.
It comes after developers CBRE were appointed by the Council last year to market the Church Street site for disposal, ahead of seeking formal planning permission.
The new scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes – including 60 affordable homes – alongside new commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces.
A before and proposed after of Church Street Car Park / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s expected that the development will respect the heritage and architecture of the historic city centre neighbourhood and help to enhance the wider area, all while improving a car park site that has long fallen out of favour.
The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm.
As mentioned, commercial space is also part of the plans, as the ground floor of the building will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood, alongside units for food and beverage outlets.
“For too long, the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces.”
The final legal negotiations will conclude over the summer, and it’s expected that a public consultation will then take place to inform a future planning application.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
‘Major milestone’ as planning permission secured to transform Oldham town centre
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for six transformational sites in Oldham town centre, with developers calling it a ‘major milestone’.
This approval marks a key step forward in Muse Places and Oldham Council‘s long-term partnership with a shared ambition to deliver a ‘vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable’ town centre that not only reflects Oldham’s heritage but also meets the needs of the people who live there.
Following ‘extensive consultation’ with the local community earlier this year, where hundreds of people took park and shared valuable feedback to help shape the proposals, a total of 1,619 new homes will be delivered as part of the plans, offering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient apartments designed for families, older people, and young professionals.
The plans also include social and affordable housing provision too in a bid to help more local people find a home that suits their needs and circumstances.
According to the Council and developers, the approved plans will bring underused sites back into ‘productive’ use and support a ‘cleaner, greener’ future for Oldham, opening the door to new opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.
“This decision marks a key milestone in delivering on our promises for Oldham,” commented Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Council.
Planning permission has been secured to transform Oldham town centre / Credit: Muse Places
“Oldham Council and Muse have a shared, ambitious vision to create a quality place that people genuinely want to spend time in.
“I am thrilled that we can continue moving forward with our plans, delivering high-quality homes, including the provision of social and affordable homes to meet local needs. We will also support local businesses and create opportunities for everyone, as part of a clean, green and sustainable future.
“Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of.”
Site investigation works are now complete at the Civic Centre, and works at Prince’s Gate will begin shortly, followed by the former Magistrates’ Court later this year.
With planning consent secured and preparatory works underway, construction at Prince’s Gate is expected to begin this autumn.
Georgina Pellant -
6th October 2021 
