Customers won’t stomach dirty restaurants
August 31st 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 surveryed 5,664 people across Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland. The findings showed over eight in ten UK repondents 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 repondents 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.

Food hygiene is comprehensively covered in the current (September) print edition of Cleaning Matters.

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