By Ian Neubauer
A new service that sends undercover reviewers to bars, cafés, bistros and restaurants to assess the true quality of a venue has been launched in Sydney this week.
London Dry Venue Reviews employs a team of industry enthusiasts who can be contracted to visit a venue incognito and comprehensively review all aspects of the business — from making a telephone reservation to music and lighting.
London Dry director, Anthony Duckworth, said he created the service to give licensees and restaurateurs real insight into their businesses and help prevent bankruptcies.
“If owners and managers think they know what goes on in their venues now — wait until they can hear what their customers don’t intend for them to hear,” Duckworth said.
“They may be just as surprised at what their customers have to say but more importantly by what they keep to themselves.”
A Shake-up Package with London Dry including four visits over a four-week period and comprehensive written reviews is priced between $320 and $420. Venue owners must also reimburse reviewers with an agreed amount for expenses incurred. Reviews may be altered or expanded to suit individual purposes at additional cost.