A family dining at Zizzi in Port Solent, Portsmouth, was left feeling cheated after staff refused to honour two advertised discounts, despite the offers being listed on the restaurant's website.
Samantha Bartlett, Assistant Editor for Social News, visited the branch on Monday, August 10, with her family after seeing on the Port Solent page that the restaurant offered both the Blue Light discount and Kids Eat Free. The Blue Light scheme provides 20% off for NHS staff, emergency services personnel, social care workers, teachers, and armed forces members.
Meal and Discount Attempt
Bartlett and her mother, a teacher, both ordered Chicken Milanese at £18.25 per portion. Bartlett added a glass of pink Prosecco, while her mother chose apple juice. Her 4-year-old son's meal cost £7.83, with a drink adding £2.19.
When they finished eating, the waitress said they 'weren't taking the QR codes' for the Blue Light discount and 'didn't know why'. Bartlett then suggested using the Kids Eat Free code from the Zizzi app, but that was also declined, with the staff member saying they're 'not taking them at the moment'.
Zizzi's Response and Terms
When contacted, a Zizzi representative said the terms and conditions state both offers cannot be used at the Port Solent restaurant. Bartlett asked why the deals were listed on the Port Solent page's 'Offers' section, and the representative said they had been removed—though they were still visible at the time of writing.
The potential saving was £8 or £9, which Bartlett noted could have covered another activity or meal for her son. She expressed concern that other families might face the same issue, especially after her mother visited a different restaurant that also refused a voucher.
Pricing Concerns
Bartlett also criticised rising prices, noting cocktails at Zizni were nearly £13, which she compared to the cost of a full meal in the past. She said Zizzi was once among her favourite 'affordable' restaurants but she will not return until she has more confidence in the pricing and deals.
