Lass O' Gowrie

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Too kind.

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• 
  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Hi – I’m a manager at the Lass and I have to say, I just don’t recognise the pub you describe, sorry.

  Aside from the very generalised nature of the comments, not mentiing any specifics on your first and only review here (and, incidentally looking very similar to your other one and only review here – http://www.yelp.co.uk/user_details?userid=soO8rX69TOpAFs6...).

  Yes, there are currently only 5-6 ale pumps in use but there’s nothing new in that, it’s what pubs that go quieter in the Summer months due to the lack of football and students do. It’s still more choice than the vast majority of outlets in our local area.

  If the lager was ‘bad’ then the standing policy (as with ale) is to replace, no quibbles. That goes for me and my fellow managers. If this didn’t happen, I’d like to know when and who as all I can say is ‘not on my watch’.

  I’m pleased we ‘used to be good’, but it’s the same core team and the same ownership since 2005.

  I’d be genuinely interested in hearing more information on the specifics of the complaint and if it’s true, I’ll move heaven and earth to make it right. But if it’s just as it appears – a general whinge and, in the case of the Yelp review full of inaccuracies, then I’ll have to assume sadly it’s a general attack by a poster who is registering with as many review sites as possible with the sole aim of criticising us.

  Best

  Gareth

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  jchapp, 8 June 2012:

  Hi Gareth,

  I’m a first time blogger and moved on to yelp as I prefer it, this is why I have written two similar posts. I wish that my first post wasn’t negative but my experience of the lass o’ gowrie has moved me to this.

  These are my experiences that I have had in the lass of the past year or so, as stated before I did like the pub before. This is not a general whinge or general attack on you.

  I’m not a fussy drinker and would rarely take a pint back to a bar. I have however over the past 12 months returned a few pints in your establishment and have never experienced your standing policy to replace a beer. The only response I have met is ‘everyone else is drinking it’ or ‘there is nothing wrong with it’. The last time this happened a female member of staff then not so subtly suggested I drink elsewhere.

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Hi jchapp – thanks for getting back to me.

  Well, that certainly gives food for thought. However, a general observation of unhappiness which may be based on a few things not going right over a longer period is different to a single incident which can be looked at and learned from.

  In particular though, I am outraged that you would be treated by that for bringing back a beer which you are not happy with. Ales come back for a range of reasons I find. Occasionally, it’s the end of a barrel, occasionally it’s not right to begin with and equally occasionally, it’s quite a hoppy brew which is not what the drinker was expecting.

  Regardless of the above, the policy is and should always be to exchange for another pint of something different, no quibbles and investigate.

  I will be posting this review and comments up on the staff board as a reminder of how not to do it and will make sure the policy is seriously followed through.

  I would really appreciate a more detailed discussion about where you feel we are going wrong via PM. In a tricky, fast moving business like this it’s inevitable that we don’t get it right all the time, but I do struggle with the description you paint too.

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Hi Jchapp. I’ve looked further and investigated with the staff concerned and I’m sorry, but your experience doesn’t ring true. Sometimes, you just have to trust your own instincts. In particular, I’m struck by the similarities to two brand new reviewers and reviews over at yelp – http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/lass-o-gowrie-manchester.

  We welcome honest feedback and after all, how elsse would we learn. But given my experience at this pub for seven years, and having searched deep inside me and challenging staff I don’t believe any of our staff would behave like this. It’s not our staff and I don’t buy this review, sorry. Perhaps this may illuminate… http://pb-n.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/how-you-might-limit-da...

  Cheers

  Gareth x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Very kind, thank you sir…

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Too kind.

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Thankee kindly!

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Good taste your granddad!

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  That was a great day bwatching the Eleventh Hour, thanks ! x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Thankee kindly! x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Mega kind, thank you again! x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Come try the pies any time! x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Still got them tasty pies, any time always welcome x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Ahhh, pre-smoing ban it was a great atmosphere. Stiill, progress…. x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Open Mic is still roaring ahead – every weds x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Awww surely ten is possible. What about the theatre above the pub? x

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• 
  Prof_Peach, 24 November 2008:

  Oh you mean on Friday night when there was a free gig by 'the Hidden Gem’ available to all punters at the back of the pub? Seems a tough review to give the place 1/5 soley on the basis it was too busy for you IMHO…

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  rickriley, 24 November 2008:

  Nope, I don’t mean on Friday night when there was a free gig by 'the Hidden Gem’ available to all punters at the back of the pub. However, if I do happen upon this, or any other band giving a free performance in there, then I’ll be sure to check them out.

  I mean when I have been in (last time about 6 weeks ago) and on a couple of occasions they have had private functions on, making it impossible to move in there.

  The rating is also based on the profiteering on the popularity of the pub where the price of drinks has gone up & up in recent years at an even higher rate than the rest of the establishments in the City Centre.

  I may be looking at it through rose tinted spectacles, but 4 - 5 years ago The Lass was a regular pub situated just off the beaten track that was a nice place to go. However, in recent years it’s just become a bit to contrite for my liking. Maybe a victim of it’s own success, but if it’s popular and other people like it according to these reviews then I’m obviously in a minority. Doesn’t mean I’m wrong, it’s just my opinion.

• 
  thelass, 24 November 2008:

  Hello - Lass O’Gowrie here!

  Just to clarify, in the last 6 weeks we have had one private booking for the rear of the pub (although the balcony is still accessible to all) on a Thursday night, as well as our regular ToastLive music showcases on the last friday of the month, which is available to all. We do take into consideration the needs of all users and these type of bookings number no more than half a dozen a year - and as a result of our new function room are likely to be less of them, so good for all.

  As for the rose tinted specs, I’d agree entirely. Perhaps you don’t understand how the industry works, so a quick crash course for you. The Lass is run as a leasehold (we own the business, a brewery own the building and lease it to us with a lot of conditions attached in terms of what we can and can’t do) meaning in layman’s terms we are tied on a lot of products so cannot sell them as cheap as a freehouse as we pay through the nose for them. It’s like expecting a Spar to be as cheap as ASDA. We’re also in the City Centre and pay a premium in rent and rates compared with, say Bury. These, i’m sad to say are facts.

  That said, I’d say our prices compare favourably with other similar tied outfits likethe Briton’s Protection, the English Lounge or the Peveril of the Peak (and that’s before you consider our 3 guest ales at £2.40 all times and £1.95 during happy hour making us considerably cheaper), while locally all our mainline products compare very favourably to the local competition in terms of Odder, o’Sheas, Sand Bar, Trof. We also show all the sport (which ain’t cheap), provide free comedy night, gigs, computer clubs and other events which when taken into account can give people a really affordable night out.

  Finally, I like you used to come into the Lass regularly 4-5 years ago and, whilst a reasonably pleasant pub for the football, there was little else to write home about (bar the stuffed fox). It was tatty, dirty, falling apart (and I speak as the man despaired at the shape when we took over in 2005), the ale was variable and the food of the cheapo sub-Iceland frozen variety. Not the fault of the people working, but because the pub had been starved of cash for years. Now it’s in much better shape, has a full programme of sports and events, has all 10 handpulls in use (and is back in the Good Beer Guide) and has proper homemade food at sensible prices (including what the MeN concurred were probably the best pies in Manchester a few weeks ago).

  Which is much better in my opinion, but horses for courses. Your opinion is certainly your right. www.thelass.co.uk

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Thank you Smurfette! x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Cheers x

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  Prof_Peach, 8 June 2012:

  Apologias, although it’s now open til 12pm and 1pm mosy Fris and Sats

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