Local Firms Furious After Nando's And Wetherspoon Win Best Restaurant And Pub Awards

Nobody can deny the hangover curing benefits of a Nando's, or the simple joy of sitting in a Spoons - people-watching with a cheap pint.

But local business owners in Preston were furious when the two massive chains won an award designed to celebrate independent restaurants.

The Smiles Better awards made the vital mistake of letting the public vote for the best restaurant and pub in the Preston, which was created to promote business in the town centre.

JD Wetherspoon pub The Twelve Tellers was given the 'Pub of the Year' award, over popular craft beer sellers the Plug and Taps and The Adelphi student bar.

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Nando's beat local burger bar We Don't Give A Fork and celebrated Italian Angelos to top place. Locals were not happy, with many thinking the awards have shown the city in a bad light.

One Twitter user said: "It doesn't surprise me at all that Twelve Tellers or Nando's are popular. Is it embarrassing to see people actively vote for those over independents?"

Another claimed: "These awards just seem to tell me that Preston is town of chavs that like a cheeky Nando's and cheap watered down beer."

One joked: "This is why the public shouldn't be trusted to vote on anything."

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Preston Business Improvement District's Mark Whittle told the BBC: "These awards are always hotly contested with healthy competition between nominees, which is no bad thing.

"The city centre is awash with great people working very hard, in great businesses, and it's good to recognise them publicly; they are the very reason many people visit Preston."

Not everyone is big on Wetherspoon though - especially after their vegan breakfast ruffled the feathers of a few customers.

The pub chain introduced the new breakfast option last October, but many people seem to think it doesn't measure up.

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One person posted on a Facebook page: "It's awful. I would have sent it back but was hungry. There are many other wonderful vegan breakfasts available elsewhere but this effort was the worst I've had. It is very dry. Shame on you Wetherspoons.

"Get some vegan spread and some vegan beans or some spinach or avocado or something to make this a nice breakfast. I would pay more if it was edible."

Tell that to the people of Preston.

Topics: Food, UK News, Drink, Pubs

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. She spent a few years working on festivals and events before joining LADbible. In her spare time, Amelia likes music and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward