West Country Chic
19-06-2009, 12:32 AM
We are having trouble with guest houses in our area that have ceased trading, but are still displaying old signage regarding diamond/star ratings, originally issued both from Visit Britain and AA.
Several properties nearby to us have long sinced given up trading and our guests are commenting on how tired looking they appear and how can they possibly still attract guests being in the condition they are in. (Obviously they do not know they aren't still trading).
This is bringing the whole area (and our credentials as star rated properties), down with them, as guests are totally unaware of the property owners personal circumstances. We are forever apologising for these untidy and unkept properties and feel embarressed to have to explain.
I would like to know if VB or the AA have ever actually written to anyone to ask for signs to be returned when their rating period runs out and is not renewed. If not then can this procedure be tightened up please? My understanding is that even though we 'purchase' these signs upon proof of our rating, they are in fact the property of VB/AA and should be returned when no longer in use.
In our area we have tried approaching the Local Trading Standards, but so far (almost 12 months on) most of them are still being displayed.
I would be interested to know if other areas experience the same problem and if so how they cope with it?
Several properties nearby to us have long sinced given up trading and our guests are commenting on how tired looking they appear and how can they possibly still attract guests being in the condition they are in. (Obviously they do not know they aren't still trading).
This is bringing the whole area (and our credentials as star rated properties), down with them, as guests are totally unaware of the property owners personal circumstances. We are forever apologising for these untidy and unkept properties and feel embarressed to have to explain.
I would like to know if VB or the AA have ever actually written to anyone to ask for signs to be returned when their rating period runs out and is not renewed. If not then can this procedure be tightened up please? My understanding is that even though we 'purchase' these signs upon proof of our rating, they are in fact the property of VB/AA and should be returned when no longer in use.
In our area we have tried approaching the Local Trading Standards, but so far (almost 12 months on) most of them are still being displayed.
I would be interested to know if other areas experience the same problem and if so how they cope with it?