This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/6204243.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Bitter row over sweet shop boss | Bitter row over sweet shop boss |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The manager of a chocolate shop has been forced to leave a Cumbrian town after he outraged locals by branding it rough and boring in an online diary. | The manager of a chocolate shop has been forced to leave a Cumbrian town after he outraged locals by branding it rough and boring in an online diary. |
Steve Beall, 20, moved from his Tyneside home to run the new cafe in Thorntons in Barrow-in-Furness. | Steve Beall, 20, moved from his Tyneside home to run the new cafe in Thorntons in Barrow-in-Furness. |
However, his comments about the town on a weblog so annoyed local residents they descended on the shop and the police had to be called. | However, his comments about the town on a weblog so annoyed local residents they descended on the shop and the police had to be called. |
He has now left his post and the head of the chocolate firm has apologised. | He has now left his post and the head of the chocolate firm has apologised. |
Mr Beall, who lived in Whitley Bay, was put up in a Travelodge while he helped start up the new shop. | Mr Beall, who lived in Whitley Bay, was put up in a Travelodge while he helped start up the new shop. |
However, when vandals smashed the shop window before it even opened he vented his frustration on MySpace. | |
He said the town was rough and boring, and had no idea how people could bear to live in it. | He said the town was rough and boring, and had no idea how people could bear to live in it. |
Barrow facts Cumbria's largest townPopulation of over 50,000Centre of excellence for nuclear submarinesHome to the ruins of a large Cistercian Abbey | Barrow facts Cumbria's largest townPopulation of over 50,000Centre of excellence for nuclear submarinesHome to the ruins of a large Cistercian Abbey |
When the comments were printed in a local paper, residents visited the shop and invited him to go elsewhere. | When the comments were printed in a local paper, residents visited the shop and invited him to go elsewhere. |
Mr Beall has now left the town, and Thorntons has apologised to its residents. | Mr Beall has now left the town, and Thorntons has apologised to its residents. |
Mike Davies, chief executive, said: "On behalf of Thorntons, I would like to apologise for the disparaging comments made by one of our employees about the town of Barrow-in-Furness. | Mike Davies, chief executive, said: "On behalf of Thorntons, I would like to apologise for the disparaging comments made by one of our employees about the town of Barrow-in-Furness. |
"These comments do not reflect the company's views or those of its other employees." | "These comments do not reflect the company's views or those of its other employees." |
Councillor Terry Waiting, leader of Barrow Council's Labour group said that Barrow was a very friendly place. | Councillor Terry Waiting, leader of Barrow Council's Labour group said that Barrow was a very friendly place. |
"It's a town that's like a big village, everyone knows everyone else. | "It's a town that's like a big village, everyone knows everyone else. |
"There's also a great location near the sea and the Lake District. It's the best place God made." | "There's also a great location near the sea and the Lake District. It's the best place God made." |
Previous version
1
Next version