How 'no shows' are putting the West Country's restaurant business at risk

Empty tables in The Mariners restaurant in Rock in Cornwall, credit ITV West Country
The owner of The Mariners restaurant in Rock recently had 27 no shows in one day. Credit: ITV West Country

Restaurant owners across the West Country are fighting to keep their businesses afloat after the coronavirus pandemic forced them to close during what would've been some of their busiest months.  

Having survived lockdown, Chef Paul Ainsworth now has to tackle the problem of 'no shows' Credit: ITV West Country

They're now facing yet another challenge - people who don't turn up for bookings. Chef Paul Ainsworth recently had 27 people fail to show up on one day at his restaurant in Rock and says people do not seem to understand the real cost of not turning up, putting people's jobs and businesses at risk.

Paul Ainsworth wants people to understand the consequences of not showing up. Credit: ITV West Country

He says, “The reality is the rota is written, the team are on for that shift. Can you imagine 27 people?

"Imagine how overstaffed you are for losing that many covers. The food is bought in, the drink is ready.

"Everything is ready - the costs, the energy, everything that goes in to making that experience happen. For me that’s why there has to be such a spotlight now on no-shows."

Too many 'no shows' could lead to staff being made redundant at a particularly difficult time. Credit: ITV West Country

The popular TV chef, who employs more than 140 people, wants to make people aware that 'no shows' can lead to people losing their livelihoods.

He says "it's not just 'we're not turning up and they'll sell the table and it's just a bit of food and drink'.

"It is so much more than that. Please understand the real cost of a no show."

The North Street Standard bar in Bedminster in Bristol has also been hit by a rising number of 'no shows'. Credit: ITV West Country

It is a problem right across the West Country. The North Street Standard in Bedminster in Bristol has re-opened after lockdown but has been hit by numerous 'no shows'.

The bar manager, Shelly Chongsathien says, “Since we’ve been open we’ve had 10 tables not showing up.

"It has a huge impact on us because we have staff in the building that we are relying on tables paying for, so we need to have the customers coming through the door in order to justify having all of our staff on."

Shelly Chongsathien, Bar Manager at the North Street Standard in Bristol is asking for customers to just show some respect. Credit: ITV West Country

Shelly says it shows that there is a lack of respect for the hospitality industry. She just asks customers to have some consideration.

"If you book a table, please honour it and if you can’t honour it - or someone is ill and you can’t make it - please just call us.

"It makes all the difference to us to be able to re-sell that table."

Restaurants and pubs are already having to cope with fewer tables because of social distancing measures.

If all else fails, restaurants may have to start charging deposits for bookings.