The furious owner of a Mediterranean restaurant has started to ‘out’ diners who leave bad reviews – by posting CCTV footage of them enjoying the food they later criticise.

Pejman Zamani has run an eponymous eaterie in the Leicestershire market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch for the past 36 years, selling Cypriot dishes like moussaka and stifado alongside pizza and pasta classics.

But lately Mr Zamani has become infuriated by the phenomenon of people leaving anonymous bad reviews online – which he says can be hugely damaging.

So this week the 65-year-old decided to strike back – in a move that would cause immense local controversy.

The trigger was a review posted on Google under the username ‘Anonymous’, claiming that a family’s first visit to Zamani’s had been ‘a very disappointing and expensive evening’.

After the diner explained that the food ‘didn’t live up to expectations’ and suggested the ‘tired’ interior could ‘do with a refresh’, Mr Zamani was outraged.

He responded by going through the restaurant’s CCTV footage to identify the woman he believes was behind the scathing review – and then published a screen grab of the party she was with.

The image shows a man dining with her giving a ‘thumbs up’ sign with both hands – in what he believes to be a sign of apparent approval – when approached by a female member of staff.

The Zamani’s restaurant owner claims CCTV footage shows a happy dining experience before a disappointing online review was posted

Posting the image on a local community site on Facebook, Mr Zamani, who had apparently already tracked the reviewer down and had an exchange of messages with them, wrote: ‘Well, well, well. Guess what?! She says it’s not personal!!

‘She writes a negative review anonymously…

‘Her and her husband finished everything, asked for their child’s pizza to be put in a box to take home, thanked my staff, he put two thumbs up!!

‘I am sure she has friends, not many, but look at the photos from my CCTV, with all the legal signage, and judge for yourself!!!

‘You damage mine, unfairly, I will expose you.

‘I will soon post her messages to me, asking me not to harass her as she really didn’t want me to know who she is!!!

‘That’s why this lady posted anonymously…’

While the posting has since been deleted, the review he is apparently referring to remains on Google.

In it, the unnamed female diner began by explaining her evening had started well saying: ‘This was our first visit, and we were really looking forward to it.

‘The restaurant has a lovely little courtyard, which was a great place to sit and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, and it gave a really nice first impression.’

But she went on to explain that ‘the food didn’t live up to our expectations’ and that the main courses were ‘disappointing’.

She continued: ‘The chips tasted like standard oven chips with very little flavour, which wasn’t what we’d expect for the price.

‘My chicken was swimming in an overly salty Diane sauce, while my partner’s herb-rubbed dish was dry.

‘The pizza was also disappointing – we left most of it. The base wasn’t the thin, crispy style we’d hoped for and was quite heavy instead.’

Of the rest of the experience, she said: ‘The service was polite but felt rather inattentive.

‘No one came to check whether we were enjoying our meals, and when our plates were cleared, nobody asked how the food had been or whether everything was satisfactory.

‘The interior also felt quite tired and could do with a refresh. Simple touches, such as tablecloths, would have made the tables feel cleaner, more welcoming, and added to the overall dining experience.’

Giving the restaurant two stars out of five for food, service and atmosphere, she summed up the experience saying: ‘Overall, it was a very disappointing and expensive evening. It’s a shame, as the setting has so much potential, but sadly the food and service didn’t justify the cost.’

On the community forum, a number of local residents said they were shocked by Mr Zamani’s outburst which one said happened ‘just because people don’t like food or decor’.

Zamani made a statement online saying the family finished all the food but still left a negative review

In response to Zamani’s post, one contributor said they wouldn’t visit his restaurant again

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One contributor wrote: ‘I didn’t see the review but this is bang out of line regardless.

Another, Amanda Hodgekinson, responded saying: ‘Yeah, I won’t be going again after seeing this post.’

A third wrote: ‘Zamani is getting quite a name on social media for his tantrums… really unprofessional and unnecessary.’

They appeared to be referring to a previous outburst by Mr Zamani which became the subject of headlines in a local news outlet in June.

A different female diner using the name Martina B, had given Zamani’s three stars in a review but had described the restaurant as looking ‘tatty and unloved’.

She complained that there were ‘very little’ Italian dishes on offer aside from ‘a big concentration of pizza’.

Martina said the restaurant had ‘no ambience’ and said her meal ‘felt rushed’, also complaining about ‘the loud banging from the pizza place next door’.

She said the only reason she did not score the restaurant ‘a two’ was due to the ‘very nice’ pasta dish that she had but concluded: ‘I doubt I’d go back’.

Mr Zamani once again took to monitoring the restaurant’s CCTV footage to challenge the review which he said had ‘upset’ his business.

He did not share images on that occasion but instead used the footage to provide a timeline of the woman’s visit to the restaurant.

In a Facebook post he said the diner ordered at 7.33pm before the starter was served at 7.39pm, with the plate cleared 10 minutes later at 7.49pm then mains served at 8.05pm.

Addressing elements of the review he did not like Mr Zamani said: ‘A number of pasta dishes and pizzas on the menu haven’t changed for over 20 years. The specials have always been extremely variable.

‘The young chap in the pizzeria dropped a tray, by accident, we are terribly sorry about that.

‘Unfair and unjust review. I am not happy.’

Complaining about negative reviews more broadly, Mr Zamani – who is also a local councillor – said: ‘Why do people feel the need to upset a local business and its staff?

‘If you don’t like it, for whatever reason, just don’t come back again, we won’t miss you and you obviously won’t miss us. Simple.’

He concluded the message saying: ‘Signed: Pejman Zamani. The passionate and loving owner of the business for over 36 years.’

Regular customers say that, while fiercely protective of his staff and his business, Mr Zamani is the consummate ‘convivial’ host.

After 36 years running his restaurant, Pejman Zamani says protecting his business and staff is personal

In response to Zamani, another contributor said ‘how can you post someone’s photo because they posted a negative review’

Over the years, Zamani’s has had hundreds of positive reviews on various forums and his restaurant is rated overall with 4.6 stars on both Tripadvisor and Google.

As well as the restaurant with its al fresco dining space, the venue has a wine bar and a popular cocktail bar and regularly hosts live music events on Sunday afternoons.

An AI summary of reviews on Tripadvisor says: ‘Zamani’s Restaurant is popular among many travellers for its relaxed and inviting atmosphere, featuring soft lighting and live music.

‘The decor, while authentic, is noted by some as slightly dated. Guests frequently praise the delicious and varied menu, with standout dishes like pizzas and homemade pastas.

‘The restaurant is celebrated for offering excellent value, with generous portions and reasonable prices.

‘Service earns accolades for its friendliness and attentiveness, though a few have mentioned occasional rushed interactions.’

Mr Zamani has also been flooded with messages of support since his latest posting which he said he had taken down because it was ‘affecting’ his wife Kate.

He said: ‘She is not like me, she likes a calm, peaceful life! She didn’t want me to respond at all but the more I watched the video the more it wound me up.’

Explaining his reaction to one supporter he said: ‘I take it very personal, it’s not really been a job for the last few years, it’s been more like a lifestyle and a duty but don’t know how I feel right now about it all.’

Thanking loyal customers he said: ‘I am temperamental, Kate is cool and laid back.

‘In order to save my marriage everything is deleted but, be assured, not forgotten.’

Mr Zamani has been contacted.

The Cat Gallery, founded by Peter and Alison Hanson, has grown over the years, becoming a thriving addition to York’s independent trading scene.

It is also said to be unique to the United Kingdom, if not the world.

The business began at 76 Low Petergate, which is now the Silvarious jewellery store, before moving after four years to 27 Stonegate, where Molly Browns clothing store is today.

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Then, in 2010, it moved to its current site at 45 Low Petergate, which was expanded to include an upstairs floor in 2023.

Marking the 25-year milestone, customers will be treated to a complimentary cupcake with any purchase from 10am to 11.30am on Thursday July 16.

Sterling Silver and Enamel Lucky Cats (Image: Pic supplied)

The popular shop will also unveil a limited-edition Italian-crafted sterling silver and enamel Lucky Cat collectible, made by Saturno.

Director Peter Hanson said: “My finance colleagues at Tesco thought I was mad to forego a comfortable existence to run a Cat Shop. The smiles I see on our customers faces every day tells me that this was the best career decision I ever made”

The couple launched the shop in 2001, after leaving careers in accountancy and relocating 200 miles from Welwyn-Garden City, north of London, to York.

The front cover of the 2001 catalogue (Image: Pic supplied)

Peter said: “In 2000, we decided to give it all up and to pursue our passion of running a cat shop. There was one in Brighton, Canterbury and Bath. One of the reasons we came to York is we wanted to get away from the competition.

“The other cat shops later stopped trading so York is the only place where there is a brick, click and flick (mail order catalogue) site. Nobody else in the world has a brick, click and flick cat shop.”

Their ecommerce site, thecatgallery.co.uk, went live on opening day in 2001, and just nine weeks later the couple issued their first mail-order catalogue.

The business grew over the years, with its latest expansion in 2023, following the launch of the shop’s ‘Lucky Cats.’

Peter said: “They were so successful, we expanded into the first floor and set up the Lucky Cat shop.”

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing.

Peter said: “Over the years we have survived the loss of tourists after 9-11, the financial crash, Brexit, the pandemic and more.

“We have had our ups and downs. But business is solid, despite the headwinds and the pressures. We have a loyal customer base. We sell what people want. We hold our own and probably punch above our weight.”

Alfie and Charlie Peter, Alison’s cats (Image: Pic supplied)

The Cat Gallery is not only a retail success but also a supporter of feline welfare.

The business has raised more than £115,000 for cat-related charities over the past five years, £200,000 over the decade, through fundraising efforts including marathon runs and donations from Lucky Cat sales.

The shop also sponsors the York Cat Hunt, formerly known as the York Cat Trail, which guides visitors around the city to discover its famous cat statues.

The Hansons also manage catsinyork.com, the first website to document York’s cat statues and recommend a themed walking tour of the city.

Looking ahead, Peter, who is 59, expects he and Alison won’t be in the store for another 25 years.

He added: “We need to start thinking about the legacy and where our business goes. We have a fantastic team of people capable of carrying on for another 25 years.

“We have done the cat trail and hunt and we want that to continue. We will launch new and interesting lucky cats and continue to source the best quality merchandise.”

Have you been to the shop? What did you buy? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Dawn also gears up for her wedding to Joe Tate

Next week in Emmerdale will be filled with more secrets, revealed secrets and complications in the ITV soap. Serena explains everything to Robert about John, Charity opens up to another Dr Todd survivor, and Kev is troubled by his past.

It’s never quiet in the Dales, and over the last few weeks viewers have watched some very difficult storylines unfold. Charity finally told the truth to Mackenzie Boyd over Todd’s sexual assault and blackmail, as well as baby Leyla’s true parentage.

Dr Todd’s dead body was also shown in a flashforward, but her actual death has not yet appeared on screen, leaving viewers wondering who did the deed.

Meanwhile, Kev tried his hardest to prove he was a changed man as he wanted to start a relationship with his son, Lewis. However, he struggled to retain his calm when Ross Barton and Nicola King framed him from robbing the cafe.

Here’s what’s coming up next in the Dales…

Serena gets close to Ross

Kim discovers there has been an intruder at Home Farm, armed with a shotgun, she orders her tardy Head of Operations, Ross, to investigate and hands him a list of suspects. But Ross’ investigations get off to a bad start when he accuses Moira and she sends him packing. Soon he accuses Robert, leading to a physical fight with an enraged Aaron. Serena intervenes.

Once Ross has gone, Serena takes the opportunity to give Robert a full explanation about John and it is enough to persuade Robert to let her stay, despite Aaron’s continued wariness. Meanwhile up at Home Farm, Kim has discovered it was a USB stick that was taken.

With Robert still injured, Aaron offers Serena a job on the farm and soon she’s creating a situation to get Ross back in her orbit. Ross is flattered assuming it’s him she is interested in but what is her game?

Charity opens up to another survivor

Charity is left utterly defeated to learn the CPS won’t be pursuing Todd’s case due to a lack of evidence. Unwilling to let Todd get away with this, Mack and Vanessa begin to plot, believing they could perhaps uncover buried complaints at the hospital. Soon, Vanessa puts their plan in motion as she and Jacob meet privately with HR Rep Carol.

When Charity gets wind she’s heads to confront Vanessa but finds herself face to face with Helen, another of Todd’s victims. Helen doesn’t want to talk but when Charity quietly reveals how Todd raped her, it clearly strikes a chord with harrowed Helen. Will Charity get answers that can help her case?

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Kev worries when someone from his past shows up

Claudette convinces Kev to keep his Café job. Nicola, secretly happy he quit, tries to persuade Vinny, Mandy, and Lewis it’s for the best, only for Kev to surprise everyone by asking for his job back.

Learning Lewis’s birthday is near, Kev attempts to make up for missed years with gifts, but his overeager approach unsettles Lewis, much to Ross’s concern. Kev’s stress mounts when his old friend Steve suddenly arrives, and he warns him not to jeopardise his new life.

Cain, Graham and Kyle go camping

Cain is holding onto hope for his dog Monty’s health and seeks a second vet opinion, reasoning if radiotherapy can help him, it can surely help Monty too. Cain’s obsession with making Monty better causes him to be emotionally distant from Kyle and Moira. Kyle is struggling at Cadets and because Cain is dismissive about cadets, Kyle is too hurt to ask for help.

Moira’s attempts to reach out and to temper Cain’s expectations for Monty, go nowhere. When Cain learns the stark truth that Monty’s tumours are inoperable, it’s too much to take in. Soon, to avoid alone time with Moira, Cain takes Kyle camping, but is angered when Kyle invites Graham.

As the three set off on this ill-fated camping trip, Cain’s tensions with Graham escalate until Cain snaps, leading Kyle to chastise his father. Cain storms off. As darkness draws in, Cain falls down a hillside and traps his leg.

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Elsewhere in the village

Dawn is thrilled to finally have her wedding dress. Dawn’s clearly not happy about Billy dating Gabby. Whilst Gabby distracts Billy so she doesn’t have to eat the meal he’s prepared for her.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is also available to stream on ITVX and YouTube from 7am.

​The popular and perpetually busy Crema e Cioccolato – Bar Italiano in Scarborough is seeking a new pavement licence from North Yorkshire Council.

​The well-established wine bar and coffee shop would place two tables and four chairs with barrier protection in front of the premises at 43 Newborough in Scarborough’s town centre.

​The applicant, Leonardo Maria D’Alonza, noted: “We have had tables and chairs outside since 2022, so we renewed the previous license.”

Crema e Cioccolato – Bar Italiano, Scarborough. Courtesy Leonardo Maria D’Alonza.

​His business is rated as the top dessert spot in Scarborough on the customer feedback website Tripadvisor and has an overall score of five-out-of-five stars based on more than 220 reviews.

​Commenting on the website, one recent customer said: “A hugely friendly establishment, with a great range of locally-made Italian ice-cream and sorbets. Huge scoops of ice cream and great value.”

​The pavement licence application is open to representations from members of the public.

​The deadline to submit comments is Monday, July 20.

Crema e Cioccolato – Bar Italiano, Scarborough. Courtesy Leonardo Maria D’Alonza.

​Anyone wishing to make representations regarding the application should give notice in writing to: North Yorkshire Council, Licensing Services, Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, YO11 2HG.

​The authority can also be contacted by email at licensing.east@northyorks.gov.uk.

Jay Loft, 22, and Cameron Bartram, 18, jumped in tractors to disc wheat fields close to Moor Lane and Askham Lane in Woodthorpe on Sunday (July 12), creating a fire-break and preventing the spread of a blaze which was rapidly advancing to nearby homes.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Police said it had arrested two teenage girls on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident.

Jay and Cameron were five minutes away from the fields owned by Russell Wagstaff and arrived before North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service at around 3.50pm.

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Jay said: “I was busy helping Cameron at a nearby site when I got a call about the fire.

“The owner was 45 minutes away from his field and we wanted to help.”

Jay and Cameron jumped in tractors, arriving minutes after receiving the call about the fire (Image: Supplied)

Video recorded from the tractors showed the fire just metres from the machinery as the quick-thinking duo raced to cut the crop.

Huge plumes of smoke swept across the area, resulting in near-zero visibility on nearby roads, with many motorists seen turning from the area.

Jay and Cameron assisted as numerous crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire, which had then swept across and destroyed vast areas of field.

North Yorkshire Police closed Moor Lane and Askham Lane as emergency services worked to make the area safe.

Huge plumes of smoke swept across the area – forcing North Yorkshire Police to close Moor Lane and Askham Lane (Image: Jon Noble)

At 5.33pm on Sunday, a statement from a police spokesperson informed motorists that the roads had been reopened but members of the public were advised to continue avoiding the area.

Commenters have taken to social media to praise Jay and Cameron, with a video of Jay ploughing the field as the fire advanced receiving more than 4,400 likes.

Jay and Cameron were the first to arrive at the scene, preventing the fire from spreading with their machinery (Image: Jon Noble)

One read: “Well done to the farmers who put their own lives and machinery at risk.”

While another commenter said: “British farmers are not commended enough!

“Floods, fires they find a way through it all.

“A bunch of heroes in their own right. Well done to all.”

Members of the retailer’s Rewards scheme can now get 5p off every litre of fuel by spending £40 or more in a single in-store transaction.

The offer is part of Asda’s new Grocery & Fuel Bonus and is available at participating stores until July 31.

Rachel Eyre, chief customer officer at Asda, said: “We’re making Asda Rewards even more rewarding.

“Asda is more than just a supermarket and we’re always looking for new ways to help families save on top of our low prices.

“Through our new Grocery and Fuel Bonus, customers can now unlock savings on fuel alongside their weekly shop, another step in our plans to keep growing Asda Rewards and give our customers even more value every time they shop.”

Once customers have made a qualifying purchase, a 5p per litre fuel coupon will be automatically added to their Asda Rewards app.

The coupon can be redeemed at participating Asda filling stations by scanning the Rewards barcode and coupon at the pump or kiosk.

Motorists filling a standard 60-litre tank could save up to £3 per fill.

The offer is currently available at 321 Asda supermarkets and Asda Express stores with Asda-branded fuel, with plans to extend it to more locations and beyond August.

This is the first time the Asda Rewards programme has offered discounts on fuel.

The discount adds to existing app ‘Missions’ that reward customers with pounds back on selected purchases.

Asda recently updated the Rewards app to include more personalised Missions based on the products customers buy most often.

Customers can check which stores are taking part in the promotion and read the full terms and conditions on the Asda website or in the app.

The popular women’s clothing shop is opening in Cambridge’s Grand Arcade

The opening date of a popular women’s clothing shop set to open in Cambridge has been confirmed. Last month, it was announced Nobody’s Child would be opening in Cambridge’s Grand Arcade.

The opening date for the shop has been confirmed as Friday, July 17. A Nobody’s Child spokesperson said: “Womenswear retailer, Nobody’s Child, is delighted to announce the opening of its new store in Grand Arcade, Cambridge, in July 2026. The 1,000 square foot store is the brand’s tenth standalone boutique, and the third opening for 2026.”

Grand Arcade shared a sneak peek of the shop on its TikTok in June. On the social media post, it said: “Consider this your sign to clear some wardrobe space.

“Nobody’s Child will open in Grand Arcade later this summer. From playful prints to timeless styles, get ready to find your new favourite dress!”

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