Backin in from the cold

Mar 14 2010 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

TIME, gentlemen please, to give a helping hand to pub landlady Yvonne Wharton.

Yvonne is doing up the New Ship Inn at Newbiggin, Northumberland, in the evenings.

And by day she works for an organisation helping disadvantaged young people aged from 13 to 25.

So she’s a busy lass carrying out important work in the community and I was happy to listen when she told me how she was left in the cold when a fridge at the pub packed in.

Yvonne said the fridge – supplied as part of a package by catering company Nisbets – needed repeated repairs.

She said: “One of the fridges has never worked for more than one day at a time.

“They refuse to exchange and have had two different companies come out to repair it on three occasions.

“On the last visit the engineer reported a faulty condenser and he said he would need a new part.

“I waited another week before contacting Nisbets and they now tell me they are waiting for a part from China and it will be another two weeks before it arrives.

“This is now bordering on the ridiculous so I requested my money back.

“They advertise a 30-day money- back guarantee but say this only applies if the item is still packaged.”

I put in a call to Nisbets who advertise a next-day catering equipment service.

A few days later I was told Yvonne had been sorted out.

And, even better, they decided to exchange the £300 fridge after all.

A spokeswoman told me: “We are not in a position to discuss our customer’s details with you.

“If they choose to give you any details that is their decision.

“Suffice to say that this matter has already been resolved and the customer has had a replacement item as the terms and conditions of our business allow.”

The last word before calling time goes to Yvonne.

She said: “Mr Justice, I cannot thank you enough.

“After speaking to you I got a call from Nisbets to inform me that I would get a new fridge.

“Fingers crossed everything will be OK.”

You’re welcome, Yvonne.