TripAdvisor has suspended reviews on Barnard Castle after an influx of spoof reviews following Dominic Cummings’ visit.
The Prime Minister’s chief adviser told reporters he travelled from his parents’ farm to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight to check he could drive home after developing coronavirus symptoms.
Mr Cummings has come under fire after he travelled from his London home to County Durham during lockdown over fears of childcare if he became incapacitated with Covid-19.
Reviewers took to TripAdvisor and flooded the site with fake reviews, leading to the site suspending reviews as they “do not describe a first-hand experience”.
One reviewer said: “Whizzed up on a whim from London with the family. Was exhilarating to feel the wind in my scalp.
“My wife fancied a cream tea and a packet of lockets but for some reason the cafe had been closed. Easy parking.”
One reviewer who was named Dom C added: “great childcare facilities”, with another saying they’d left London “to escape the crowds” and would “do it again in a heartbeat”.
A message from TripAdvisor now appears on the site stating: “Due to a recent event that has attracted media attention and has caused an influx of review submissions that do not describe a first-hand experience, we have temporarily suspended publishing news reviews for this listing.
“If you’ve had a firsthand experience at this property, please check back soon - we’re looking forward to receiving your review.”
