The village council blew up after a loved one said pub can be closed – despite receiving rave reviews.
Members of the public were left confused and concerned when tThe parish council of Dodlston on the outskirts of Chester sent a poll suggesting that the local community center may close, according to CheshireLive
The document claimed that the Red Lion was experiencing an “apparent decline in popularity” – despite the fact that the pub has received nothing but five-star reviews on TripAdvisor and Google over the past few months.
It also raised fears that the brewery “might decide to close” the premises, acknowledging that it “had no evidence of this”.
(Image: theredliondodleston.co.uk)
A survey of residents to evaluate the pub on aspects such as the friendliness and efficiency of its staff, which, some say, has greatly affected the people who work there.
Evan Morris MBE, chairman of the Cheshire Police and Crime Commission, said: “This survey has had a significant impact on the deteriorating morale of staff, which consists mainly of young people who, frankly, need to build trust.
“It has had a tremendous impact on the staff. I am worried about the youth. Asking these people in the Dodlston community to score staff marks for their friendliness and efficiency is not a matter for the parish council, but for Tripadvisor. “
(Image: theredliondodleston.co.uk)
The Gastro with a rating of 4.0 has not received below four-star reviews on TripAdvisor since the new year, and was named in the Traveler’s Choice Awards on the 2021 review website.
A leading council member defended the actions of local authorities, saying they only wanted to protect a key feature of the village.
Mike Mogan, chairman of Dodlston Council, said in an interview with CheshireLive: “The main goal is to try to maintain a thriving pub that serves society and welcomes society.”
He also suggested that concerns about the pub had in fact been expressed for a number of years, and “as many as 20 residents” had expressed their views on the matter.
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