It does seem to be extraordinary that people can book a table at a restaurant or pub and then just not bother to turn without cancelling it.

What is the matter with people? Why do they do this? What is more is that the hospitality industry has had it really bad with covid-19, many going bust and a huge number of these businesses not re-opening, thousands in fact. Do they really need to lose trade because a table remains unoccupied when perhaps they could let it out to someone else?

What is more is that under covid rules, restaurants have far less tables available because of the need for social distancing. So it merely compounds the problem.

In fact a staggering one in seven, or 14%, of punters admit to being “no-shows” and one in twelve admit to failing to advise the venue that they will not be turning up. Some people say they book a number of places to go and dine and then choose just one and don’t tell the others. Surely that is criminal?

There is one sure way of getting your customers’ attention – take their credit card number on booking and say that if they do not turn up there will be a missed booking fee. It does not really matter how much it is – people won’t want to lose anything and if they refuse, then they are customers you neither want nor need!

Please give these businesses more consideration in these difficult times.

Adrian Leopard 04-05-21

Photo Sonic Seven