Series 7 - First In Last Out, Winchester

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Straight-talking, award-winning hotelier Alex Polizzi answers an SOS call from Jon Sweeney, owner of the First In Last Out, a 17th-century pub and B&B in Winchester that has been plagued by poor reviews – with one disgruntled guest even suggesting it might be the ‘worst hotel in the UK’.

The Hotel Inspector uncovers a cleaning regime that leaves much to be desired and, after a run-in with a shower room that has a life of its own, she checks out, leaving the First In Last Out with the distinction of being the first establishment she has ever refused to sleep in. The glamorous Polizzi is no quitter, but will the First In Last Out be too big a challenge even for the Hotel Inspector?

Jon’s main clientele are contractors who are not too bothered by their surroundings, but in order to make inroads on the tourist trade he is desperately in need of Alex’s help. She faces the challenging task of showing Jon that budget accommodation does not need to mean low quality. Can she turn around the fortunes of FILO and get Jon to clean up his act – and his rooms?

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Comments (48)

  • barry hillier

    11 months ago

    barry hillier

    i can honistley say now that alix has cast hur eye and tempers fired up in this explisive epesode the filo or first in last out has a makeover. but working along side Alix and Jon ( manager Sweeney) has bean the best part of my curere at my time in the establishment

  • DG

    11 months ago

    DG

    Its GREAT to see the return of Alex, just wish they would make the series longer... HINT! This year is already looking brighter for channel 5, More Alex.. and Big Brother... what next...

  • KM

    10 months ago

    KM

    OMG! I will never be staying here YUK!

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  • derek

    10 months ago

    derek

    still would not stop their it will never change with that manager

  • Colin

    10 months ago

    Colin

    After Alex leaving. The bar and B&B improved a little. I think all the rooms need to be refurbished. The owner doesn't know what the word clean means.

  • dw

    10 months ago

    dw

    I would like to no why the wife did not help? and if you want good cleaners dont pay the young ones who dont no how to clean stick with the old one

  • Bob

    10 months ago

    Bob

    Love this programme and Polizzi is a legend, but that unrelenting background music is really irritating. C5's keyboard player needs to chillax

  • Sheonag

    10 months ago

    Sheonag

    Think Barry should get a show of his own. His quaint turns of phrase (often wrong)would make a programme of its own

  • Cas

    10 months ago

    Cas

    Barry Hillier did you never learn to spell???

  • maiditup

    10 months ago

    maiditup

    did anyone catch the address and what is needed to enter the competition by post?

  • m.a

    10 months ago

    m.a

    winchester's answer to tom cruise.. PAH .. if u say so lol and not bookin a room cos he wants a bed! well well well says it all really doesn't it wudnt stay in that place if u paid me to

  • elena

    10 months ago

    elena

    winchester's answer to tom cruise! PAH! if u say so lol.. i think the narrator was bein slightly siarcastic with that comment lol.. and fancy not bookin a room out cos he wanted it himself.. looks like it isnt just the manager that needs help

  • Smee

    10 months ago

    Smee

    Even if I was given a free weekend here, I would say I was over charged. Gross

  • m.a

    10 months ago

    m.a

    uuurgh yuck that barry guy so slimy lol makin me feel ill what a creep i wudnbt stay at a hotel that he worked at to be honest seems very sly would deffo NOT stay there!!!

  • m.a

    10 months ago

    m.a

    I agree SMEE, that barman well creepy wudnt stay there!

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  • Jemma

    10 months ago

    Jemma

    Its a BUMP! Always has been and always will be ..

  • Jemma

    10 months ago

    Jemma

    Its a DUMP!! Always has been and always will be.

  • Lashington

    10 months ago

    Lashington

    further evidence that people with low IQs should not be allowed around the rest of society! He's rude, even to the only person prepared to help him. Sorry Alex, but I'd still not want to stay there now...

  • DAVID

    10 months ago

    DAVID

    Who wants to pay money to stay somewhere where the owner has a mouth like a sewer and a shower to match !

  • lozzy

    10 months ago

    lozzy

    ha its one of my local pubs but ive never stayed there nor will i now!!!! is a weird place to dink in itself hasnt been the same since the late 90's

  • Dazoola

    10 months ago

    Dazoola

    I can say I've never actually stayed in this establishment, but had the pleasure of drinking a cool beverage in the place.... as a student of winchester university i would now consider a night or two's stay in the place. BARMAN BARRY, YOUR A LEGEND!!!

  • hayden.

    10 months ago

    hayden.

    this hotel was abserlouly RUBBISH!!!!! before alix came!!!!!!

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  • Mav1959uk

    10 months ago

    Mav1959uk

    The best hotel I have ever stopped in, not the cleanest or The best facilities, but the best memories, it's full of real characters, John, Barry, the bar girls from the stripper to the lazy s.d, the customers arriving on his motor scooter, staying there was living inside an episode of Benidorm but in the UK, memories that will last alot longer than some of the lodger hotels I have stopped in. Great show

  • David L

    10 months ago

    David L

    Is Barry still working there? My son and myself think he is a legend!

  • joelle

    10 months ago

    joelle

    omg i wouldnt stay there even if it was for free

  • kai

    10 months ago

    kai

    barry you legend!!

  • Mrs Elles Forme

    10 months ago

    Mrs Elles Forme

    The place needed a woman's touch ... or a wrecking ball! My sympathy to owner manager who is stuck with a old listed building with pokey rooms and ancient plumbing. A hopeless task to move up market. We only saw Barry (a reality tv legend in the making), were there really any more staff?? I am certainly going there for a beer when I am next in Winchester, but I will never stay just in case I find a 'surprise extra' in the bed linen. Ohh... that guest comment made the show for me!

  • Katie, London

    10 months ago

    Katie, London

    'Barrie' reminds me of the awful, geeky little boys in my politics class as a teenager.. A little bit.. 'special'. Certainly wouldn't want him hanging round in my room for long :/ As for the owner... dear me.. most likely his mummy and girlfriends have always cleaned for him, so no, he can't clean a sink.

  • Emma

    10 months ago

    Emma

    hi john it emma from dartford im a cleaner and i have work in a hotel as a cleaner and if i live were you are i would be your come and work for you to fast in and last out

  • Emma

    10 months ago

    Emma

    Emma ,Dartford to first in and last out if i live were john live ,s i would work for him as a cleaner as im a god claener and i have work in a hotel once befor ! frm Emma

  • Ben

    10 months ago

    Ben

    Ahh! I was there when they were filming a part of that!

  • Bob monkfish

    10 months ago

    Bob monkfish

    Love the place. Stayed here several times and always will. Sweeney is a legend! Would recommend to anyone wanting to stay in winchester

  • liam weatherall

    10 months ago

    liam weatherall

    i dont beleive it that the first in last out was the worst place but come on improve next time.

  • Channi

    10 months ago

    Channi

    i like the filo 4 wat it is even if it is a state but some people i no just judge it by the cover and have no idea what good company it has to offer.

  • sparky

    9 months ago

    sparky

    Stayed here about a month ago before being aware of all this, worst place I've ever stayed in the UK, seemed like a good pib though!

  • BevItaly

    9 months ago

    BevItaly

    Barry Hillier, your spelling had me rolling on the floor in laughter. Oh my god, learn to spell between pullng pints for god sake !

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  • Kirsty

    8 months ago

    Kirsty

    I think its funny if you read any reviews since she has been that the place is still a complete dive. Go on trip advisor and you will know never to stay there!

  • Wolfshead

    8 months ago

    Wolfshead

    I can't see the changes lasting. If he couldn't see the place was dirty before, he wont in the future. He needs to get that jacket and tie off and do some work. He obviously likes to see himself as some kind of "big shot" when actually he knows absolutely nothing about the hospitality industry (nor does he know a milk jug from a gravy boat!!!!!)

  • Jan

    7 months ago

    Jan

    Am watching a repeat on 31 July and judging by the comments I've read on Hotel Review site nothing has improved at the FILO at all.

  • Kate

    7 months ago

    Kate

    Just watched this episode (we have to wait a few months to get them in Australia). OMG is all I can say. So many people buy B & B's or small pubs with no hospitality experience, thinking that it will be a fun job. It can be fun, but not without a lot of hard work and very long hours! They also seem to think that they can swan around and the work will get done. WRONG! Owners need to lead by example, roll their sleeves up and do most of the work themselves. Fancy saying "I've asked the cleaners to do it but they won't. Guess what John, you are the boss and if staff won't do as they are told you sack them! I'm pretty sure this guy does not know what a mop looks like! So sad that after all of Alex's hard work that nothing seems to have changed. In fact, after reading Trip Advisor today it appears that it has got worse. If it is possible, that is, to be worse than leaving a condom in a bed!!

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  • Gary

    4 months ago

    Gary

    Judging by the current web reviews the place is much the same as before- Alex's visit appears to have no effect

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