No-shows and cancellations are one of the biggest issues that restaurants face.
It can leave businesses out of pocket if enough people cancel last minute or worse… don’t show up without letting the venue know.
This is something smaller local businesses know about all too well.
Taking to Twitter to speak out about the issue, Liverpool's Maray restaurant, which has venues on Bold Street and Allerton Road, said: "How does everyone feel about leaving credit card details to book a table in 2019? We had 59 people no-show last week between the two restaurants, and 143 cancel on the day.
"Sometimes we re-sell those tables, sometimes not. Whats a small biz to do?"
Other local businesses pitched in, adding that it’s ‘damaging’ the food industry , with restaurant SKAUS commented: "The amount of no shows we’ve seen over the years is mental.
"Same for every restaurant across the country too. People need to realise how incredibly damaging it is, especially to small businesses.
"Wish there was a way of raising awareness about things like this on a large scale."
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While most agreed that cancellations and no shows are an issue, not everyone could agree on a solution.
One Twitter user agreed taking card details and charging for no shows is necessary, they said: "You have to do it, if people can’t be trusted to show up you have to protect your interests and that of your staff. Such a joke when people do not honour their bookings without informing you."
Another said: "Absolutely. It's common in so many industries that you pay in advance and depending on when you cancel you lose either all or a part of the money, so why not restaurants?"
Restaurant and bar owners hit back
Others added that deposits are the best option, one said: "I would definitely pay deposit. It makes people more committed and will ensure the minority would show up or not book. Certainly ensure the money is taken and not just held a pending transaction ."
A fourth person wrote: "You would never expect to reserve a seat at a gig or theatre without coughing up money first, and food (especially of Maray standards) can be just as special an evening".
However, some people believed a booking system should be scrapped all together and a ‘walk in’ system should be used.
