The Oyster Shack in Bigbury in Devon is the latest restaurant to be hit by the crime trend which sees diners run up huge bills before walking out without paying
A small family-run restaurant has issued a warning to businesses after it claimed a group of six diners walked out without paying their bill worth almost £600.
The party of three men and three women ordered multiple high-value items from the menu, including four £66 lobsters and a £120 fruits de mer platter, at The Oyster Shack in Bigbury, Devon, on 25 July.
But when their evening ended, they left without settling their bill, according to the seafood restaurant, which posted a warning on social media to other businesses that could be targeted.
Also speaking to The Times, restaurant owner Kieron Vanstone said staff tried calling a phone number left for the booking, but the person who answered said they would call back, and then didn’t pick up again.
Devon and Cornwall Police told The Independent it was investigating the alleged “dine and dash” incident, which has become a trend for restaurants across the country, said trade body UKHospitality.
In its social media post, the restaurant said: “We experienced something no small business ever wants to go through.
“A table of six diners left our restaurant without paying, leaving an unpaid bill of almost £600. Throughout the evening they ordered multiple high-value items from our menu and, after being looked after by our team, left without settling the bill.
“For a small independent restaurant like ours, this isn’t just a financial loss, it’s incredibly upsetting for our staff, who worked hard to provide a warm welcome and great service, only to have their trust abused. Incidents like this have a real impact on both our team and our business.
“We’re sharing this not to shame anyone, but to warn other restaurants, pubs and local businesses to stay vigilant if they encounter a similar group.”
In May, The Independent revealed restaurants and pubs had reported 2,137 cases of customers “making off without payment” over the past two years. But the data from 22 police forces in Engaland and Wales showed people were charged in jhust 3 per cent of the reports.
With detectives facing evidential difficulties, some restaurant owners have been forced to take action themselves; from sharing posts on social media to introducing additional security.
At Relentless Steak and Lobster House in Portsmouth, owner Scott Matthews has brought in pre-pay for drinks and starters after being stung by a series of costly thefts. Earlier this year, two men allegedly paid for £130 worth of food, before ordering several more rounds of cocktails, oyster and scallops – adding up to another £170 – and then walked out.
In a survey, UKHospitality found a third of operators had suffered a “dine and dash” incident, with almost half reporting that the situation was worsening.
In May, chair Kate Nicholls said: “Customers leaving without paying is completely unacceptable and places further strain on hospitality businesses already operating under significant pressure. This is not a victimless crime – it directly impacts businesses and can put staff in difficult and sometimes unsafe situations.”