Customers won’t stomach dirty restaurants
August 1st 2005

Results from a MORI study show UK consumers are more concerned about restaurant hygiene levels than many of their European counterparts.

Commissioned by Kimberly-Clark, MORI surveyed 5664 people across Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland. The findings showed over eight in ten UK respondents are concerned about restaurants’hygiene levels compared with Switzerland (50%) and Germany (42%).

The risk of contracting food poisoning from restaurants is also a concern for 78% or Brits.

Significantly, the survey showed the majority of UK consumers would complain if they suspected contracting food poisoning from a restaurant, 39% saying they would never return to the establishment.

Over half (51%) of UK respondents said they would also complain to the council or environmental health department. While the study will help cleaning contractors pitching for business, it serves as a reminder for cleaning firms with restaurant contracts to maintain high service levels. Kimberly-Clark marketing manager Anne Heaslip, says it is a “serious call to action to the industry”, but stressed it does not necessarily mean hygiene levels are poor – but that consumers perceive them to be. “This is just as damaging to the industry,” she says.

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