When was the guide established?
The original London guide was founded in 1991.
Who created it and why?
Brothers Richard and Peter Harden quit their jobs in finance after witnessing the success of customer-survey guides in New York and Düsseldorf.
What method of rating does it use?
A consumer survey. Harden’s claims that for the 2006 guide 8,000 people contributed more than 90,000 individual reports. Peter Harden comments: “We have a 40,000-strong mailing list of interested people, and it is this self-selecting group of reporters who take part. An analysis of the surveys generates the ratings in the books”.
How does a venue get included in the guide?
Selection is determined by the survey.
Is there any payment required to be included?
No.
If I want to be included, who should I contact?
Information can be sent to: mail@hardens.com.
What is the size and make-up of its readership?
Peter Harden comments: “Precise figures are commercially sensitive. However, we believe that our London and UK guides together have a larger circulation than either the Good Food Guide or Michelin. Our readership is diverse. The biggest concentrations are in marketing, law, finance, media, journalism, academia and government.