A local restaurant found itself in an unusual predicament when a group dined, indulged in a substantial order including multiple cocktails, and then vanished without settling their £234 bill.
The incident unfolded when the group of four, two women and a man, arrived unannounced during a busy service. Initially asked to wait for a table, they were eventually seated after a fifteen-minute delay and promptly began ordering.
Their order was extensive, featuring a mix of cocktails – eight Pornstar Martinis, three double Malibu and Cokes, two Jack Daniels and Coke, and a WKD – alongside food and dessert. A fourth person later joined their table, adding to the growing bill.
The group’s departure was subtle, beginning with one woman excusing herself for a cigarette. Soon after, the remaining diners followed, leaving behind an unpaid tab and a bewildered restaurant owner.
Faced with this brazen act, the restaurant owner took the unprecedented step of publicly sharing CCTV footage of the group on Facebook, hoping to appeal to their conscience and warn other businesses.
The post explained the restaurant’s usual respect for customer privacy, but emphasized the need to protect other local establishments from similar incidents. It included a direct plea for the group to contact the restaurant and settle the outstanding amount.
The public appeal initially yielded a response, with the group reportedly contacting the restaurant and promising to return and pay the bill. However, days passed, and they have yet to reappear.
The restaurant’s decision to publicly name and shame the diners sparked a wider conversation about the challenges faced by businesses and the lengths they must go to protect themselves from dishonest customers.
