Celebrities? No thanks, I’ll ask my friends or TrustedPlaces
A few weeks ago we ran a national poll with members of the TrustedPlaces community to find out how your choices are influenced on where to go and what to do. According to the results the influence celebrities have on our social lives is wearing very thin.
• 34% of you would be less likely to visit a new location after reading about a celebrity party there – 60% said it wouldn’t change their choice, only 6% would be more likely – showing that we prefer to find our own favourite spots than rely on celebrities.
• If you had to choose a celebrity to pick your night out the most trusted star was George Clooney coming out on top as the celebrity you would most trust to plan a night out, gaining more votes than his two closest rivals combined. Tabloid favourite Paris Hilton was picked as the least trusted celeb to choose restaurants and bars on our behalf. She was closely followed by Kate Moss and Britney Spears. Quelle surprise there 
When it comes to trusted sources of information, you are most likely to turn to your friends (71%) or internet reviews such as TrustedPlaces (45%), rather than glossy magazines and regular paparazzi haunts (24%).
So how do top places voted by TrustedPlaces members compare with top places from celebrities? Here’s a selection of places you’re likely to see in the middle section of the tabloids and a selection of some of your favourites. Now, we’re not saying that places that are regular celebrity hangouts are not good in any way. It’s just that there are so many great places out there that don’t get the press they deserve. What do you think?
Top Restaurants
London - Cipriani (P Diddy and Victoria Beckham) - Fabrizio (TrustedPlaces members)
Cardiff - Milgi (Charlotte Church & Gavin Henson) - Troy Ocakbasi (TrustedPlaces members)
Leeds - Bibis (Chelsy Davy) - The Reliance (TrustedPlaces members)
Glasgow - The Corinthian (Ewan McGregor, Robbie Coltrane) - Ubiquitous Chip (TrustedPlaces members)
Top Bars
London - Mahiki (William and Harry, Kate Middleton) - Favela Chic (TrustedPlaces members)
Edinburgh - Lulu (Vernon Kaye, Girls Aloud) - Ecco Vino (TrustedPlaces members)
Manchester - Sugar Lounge (Coronation Street cast, Premiership Footballers) - Grinch (TrustedPlaces members)
Brighton - Sky Bar (Jordan and Peter Andre) - The Greys (TrustedPlaces members)
Other Top Places
London Pub - The Hawley Arms (Sadie Frost, Amy Winehouse) - The Charles Lamb Pub (TrustedPlaces members)
London Club - Cuckoo Club (Rihanna, Christina Aguilera) - Shunt Vaults (TrustedPlaces members)
London Hotel - The St Martin’s Lane Hotel (Paris Hilton, Shakira) - Dukes Hotel (TrustedPlaces members)
October 17th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Thanks for all your support guys. We’re so plaesed that we’ve managed to create a place that is loved by so many!
I’ve not told mascha about this celebrity poll thing though as I think she may think that she should be in the other section….
The oil painting we commisioned of Bastille ay has now been framed and hung if you’d like to see if you are included… and if you are then there will be a limited edition print available soon.
See you soon
Camille Hobby Mascha Toby and the rest of the team at The Charles Lamb x
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 am
Putting celebrity culture nextdoor to TP reviewed Top Places is a stroke of pure genius!
Like other members I would rather take the word and recommendation of a ‘real’ rating rather than Posh pictured
coming out of the Ivy having ‘had’, or at least sat, for another lunch that is supposed to make me want to go there
Give me at least a 4 star rating and 3 recommendations and that makes for a much more positive and enticing incentive!