Would I be sad if I did this?

[Kameron]

If you want to know what some where's Kitchens look like take a peak in their toilets. This is true of ever pub I've ever worked in and I see no reason why Restaurants and coffee shops could not obey the same rules.

I essence complain all you want but I wouldn't eat in a place with the stated sanitary conditions.

 

[Monsy]

You should complain to the Environmental Health Dept. Don't muck about sending them e-mails. All they will do is tell you they are dealing with the problem.

If that's the state of the toilet, do you really think the staff wash their hands?

 

[spanglechick]

it's cost-cutting too = inexcusable.

sanitary boxes are emptied by a professional service in most cases. If you think about it, it takes a long time to fill one up... so most places have the rentokill / sanilab / whoever person come in at timed intervals to empty them. The more frequent the visits, the more it costs. And cost cutting is, of course, behind the other probs. It's usual for somewhere like this to have a cleaner every day - like a pub or restaurant does (as waiting staff tnd to not like scrubbing toilet pans). Maybe they're cutting costs by not employing proper cleaning staff too? bastards.

 

[oddworld]

I think its great you've done this Geri, too many times I think about it and dont bother to take it any further.

Will be interested in the results.

 

[WasGeri]

OK, I got a reply from them now - this is what it says:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact Starbucks Coffee Company
following your recent visits to our Bristol - Broadmead store. Please
accept my apologies for the state of the toilet and for the disappointment
this caused.

Our store baristas are trained to check and clean the toilets on a
regular basis and I am sorry to hear that you experienced quite the
opposite on your recent visits. To address this matter, I have passed your
feedback on to both the store and district managers for their attention
and investigation.

As a gesture of goodwill, I would be happy to send you some beverage
vouchers to welcome you back to our stores for the quality experience you
expect and we strive to deliver. If you would like to send me the
details of your mailing address, I will send the vouchers to you with our
compliments.

I hope that this apology and reassurance that your complaint will be
addressed goes some way to restoring your confidence in Starbucks and we
look forward to welcoming you back soon."

I will visit them again when I have the vouchers - with my camera! And if still no improvement I will contact the environmental health.

 

[pembrokestephen]

This is the e-mail I sent:

Dear Sirs

On three occasions recently I have visited your store in the Arcade, Broadmead, Bristol.

On the first occasion I noticed that the toilet was generally not very clean and the toilet pan was stained and dirty. This was the upstairs toilet.

On the second and third occasions I used the downstairs toilet, which was a lot cleaner, however, on the second occasion I noticed a toilet brush in the corner which was dirty (I'm sure I don't need to describe what I mean).

On the third occasion, in addition to the dirty toilet brush still being there, there was no toilet roll and the receptacles for sanitary products had obviously not been emptied, and in fact there was a blood-soiled panty liner at the side of the toilet.

I do not know if this is representative of your cleanliness in the rest of your stores - I certainly hope not, as I feel most disinclined to go back to this particular store or Starbucks in general.

I am not the kind of person who generally writes letters of complaints, so I hope you will take this matter seriously. I am sure toilet hygiene is very important in a place which sells food and drink.

Yours faithfully

Very moderate, in the circumstances. I think you wrote an extremely reasonable letter, and I'd be very surprised indeed if you don't get a positive response from them.

 

[sparkling]

The Starbucks in Chelmsford had very dodgy dirty toilets as well. Actually the state of most startbucks are pretty crap...the furnishings are all worn and shiney and stained.

I only go in there when meeting a friend who for some reason thinks Starbucks is the best thing sinced sliced bread.

 

[George & Bill]

I sent them an e-mail - I will await their reply with interest. If they don't improve I will write a letter to the local paper, maybe!

They could learn from Wetherspoons - their toilets are always spotless and they never run out of paper.

fact about weatherspoons' spotless toilets; they are kept spotless by the same people pouring your pints

 

[2 Hardcore]

Our store baristas are trained to check and clean the toilets on a
regular basis


Maybe this is part of the problem. Do the baristas think cleaning is/should be part of their job? I know of shopworkers who have to clean the staff toilets (never mind those used by the public) but since they feel it's a cleaner's job, they don't do it/let it slide. I can see their point.
It must be pretty hard to clean regularly too when it's really busy (like in the runup to Christmas)
And from a hygiene point of view, since they're serving food and drink, should they be cleaning the toilets every hour or whatever anyway??

 

[WasGeri]

fact about weatherspoons' spotless toilets; they are kept spotless by the same people pouring your pints

Yeah, I realise that - they have the rota on the wall so you can see how often they are checked.

It's a pretty good system if you ask me.

 

[Velouria]

fact about weatherspoons' spotless toilets; they are kept spotless by the same people pouring your pints

Don't mind that, as long as they wash their hands thoroughly

 

[George & Bill]

umm, I guess...just struck me as slightly wrong...

 

[WasGeri]

Are you saying they don't employ cleaners at all? I ssumed they had cleaners, but the bar staff check the toilets make sure they are fully stocked with toilet roll etc. during their shifts.

Don't see anything wrong with it anyway. I have been known to get on my hands and knees and clean the toilet floor at work if I don't think the cleaners have done a good enough job. And I constantly have to replenish stocks of toilet roll, hand wash lotion and paper towels as it never seems to occur to our cleaners that it's part of their job.

Keeping things clean is the duty of everyone.

 

[hendo]

Why wait? Starbucks sells food.

So I'd track down their UK CEO and pop the letter in the post, and copy it to the Avon and Somerset EHO's. Is there a local councillor for the area? Copy them in too.

In my experience e-mail is quick but it can be ignored, minimized or even deleted by a middle manager. Snail mail makes an almost nuclear impact by comparison if you place it well.

 

[Wookey]

Keeping things clean is the duty of everyone.

So next time swill the shitty bog-brush out yourself!!!

 

[George & Bill]

Are you saying they don't employ cleaners at all? I ssumed they had cleaners, but the bar staff check the toilets make sure they are fully stocked with toilet roll etc. during their shifts.

Don't see anything wrong with it anyway. I have been known to get on my hands and knees and clean the toilet floor at work if I don't think the cleaners have done a good enough job.

my friend who works in weatherspoons said that if there is piss on the floor they have to clear it up. Seemed like a less than fantastic additional duty for someone whose main job is to serve drinks and food. insurance is less hygene critical

 

[WasGeri]

insurance is less hygene critical

I've wiped piss off the floor using power towels dipped in warm water and handwashing lotion!

I wouldn't have a problem doing it if I worked in Wetherspoons as I assume they have the proper equipment.

I would draw the line at cleaning someone else's bogbrush though. In fact, if it's still there next time I go, I will throw it in the bin.