Wiltshire chippy praised for response to online review

A business owner has been praised for calling out an online reviewer’s inappropriate comment about a female delivery driver.

The review of Robinson’s Traditional Fish & Chips, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire, read: “Really hot food always great from Robinsons also hot delivery girl.”

The shop replied: “Thanks for the kind review of the food, we will make sure a male delivers your food from now on.”

Owner Philip Robinson said: “It can seem harmless, but we have to set boundaries with incidents like this.”

Mr Robinson told BBC Wiltshire he had a partner and sister and “would want their employers to act the same”.

“I wouldn’t want them to feel uncomfortable,” he added.

The owner of the family-run business was only informed of the review when the manager of the shop texted him to say that it had been posted on the online delivery platform Just Eat and then reposted on Facebook.

He explained that he had felt compelled to respond, saying: “I feel like that should be normal.

“I’m sure it was a harmless compliment but we have to set boundaries, and the staff, they need to come into work feeling safe and know that they’re not going to be subject to any harassment.”

Mr Robinson said: “As a small business owner we need our customers to return and I hope that hasn’t put him off ordering from us again, but… that’s just the person I am, if I see something that is making someone uncomfortable, I’ll always call it out. Staff safety is paramount to us.”

Mr Robinson said he was confident the incident would not be repeated, but added: “If that does happen again, we do have the logs and either myself or the manager of the shop will make sure that is delivered to them without any fuss.”

Fiona Oliver from Wiltshire Community Foundation, which this year launched a Women and Girls Fund, said: “We applaud the response from Robinson’s for standing up for their employee.

The joint chief executive said: “Harassment, stereotyping, and discrimination targeted towards women and girls happens far too often and is frequently referred to as harmless banter.

“The impact of such behaviour can really affect victims.

“We must not shy away from talking about these matters and calling out inappropriate behaviour.”

The charity is running a male allyship event on 22 November to raise awareness of gender inequality and discrimination.