This is a copy of an E-mail I have sent to the Saleem Bagh restaurant, Queens Square, Cannock, WS11 1EH. You need to know negative feedback such as this because I think it is important. Thankyou.
Dear Sir,
Myself, my wife and some friends attended your restaurant at about 00.45am on Sunday, 22nd February, 2009 (Saturday night / Sunday morning) . I have read numerous reports in the local press about your good reputation within the community and how you operate to a very high standard. As a citizen of Cannock, I have indeed used you restaurant on many occasions over past the years.
I am therefore very disappointed in the service we received when visiting your establishment.
I am told that whilst I was in the toilets, one of your staff told the group that they should have only one poppadom each because we would be quicker eating them, as you all wanted to go home. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to hear that remark, because if I had, I would have walked out of your restaurant. That was an extremely rude, unprofessional and offensive comment. If you did not want our custom, then you should not have allowed us into the restaurant. We were the customers who were there to pay you for your services, not for you to tell us how much we can have to eat or how long we should take to eat it!!
Furthermore, you did not wait for us to finish our poppadoms before you brought the main meals out and started placing them on the table. We were not asked if we were ready. Where is your etiquette?
The last issue I want to raise is that you started to clear the table before everybody had finished eating their main meals. This again, is extremely rude and disrespectful. You should wait until every one has finished eating before you do this. It made us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. It is not good to have someone leaning across one, whilst one is trying to eat one's meal. You did not offer us desserts, or ask us if we wanted more drinks (which of course would have meant more money for you). You appeared impatient and it was apparent that you could not wait for us to go.
We are all respectable people and we behaved respectfully towards you. Is it too much to ask for the same in return?
Remember, it is we, the customers, whom you rely on for your livelihood. There is a saying that 'the customer is always right'. After all, it would seem that the only reason you allowed us into your restaurant because you wanted our money. Not because you valued our custom. You certainly did not make us welcome. The only polite thing you did was to call a taxi for us. I thank you for that.
I know that you have been established in Cannock for many years. I just hope that you do not treat your other customers in such a way.
I shall expect a response from you, before I decide whether or not I am going to report this to the Chase Post newspaper. They give you a lot of positive reports and they need to know the true picture.
I shall not be using your restaurant again.
I respectfully await your reply.
Sincerely,
