Since the pandemic, having to pay a deposit when booking a table has become increasingly a part of going out to eat. But a chef from Beverley, near Hull, has sparked a debate online, after he refused to return a deposit to a customer who had turned up with one less diner in their party.
James Allcock runs The Pig & Whistle and took to Twitter over the weekend, claiming he was ‘screamed at’ and sworn at by the diner, and ‘was certain she was actually going to punch me’.
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He added in a later tweet: “I don’t know any other business or industry in the world where you can book a seat & cancel it without charge or expecting money back. Try ringing Justin Bieber & asking for your money back when you can’t attend? If you don’t get that restaurants are the same you’re too far gone.”
The issue came with the small restaurant’s booking policy, which states that a £10 deposit per person is required on booking. Allcock says that he then received the abuse over his intention to keep back £10 for the one person that didn’t show, adding that the no-show meant he had a table for two now available, after turning other customers away.
Allcock said that the group then ‘refused to pay the bill if we didn’t take the £50 off. Called me a pr**k, a**ehole, screamed in my face. I was certain she was actually going to punch me. She was so aggressive. Took my picture to post online with her negative review threats’.
Manchester chef Simon Wood was among those chiming in with support, saying: “100% what should happen, tbh £50 Is getting off lightly. But one Twitter user replied: “Hmm, I don’t think you’re position is one that’s objectively black vs white 100% 'right'. If they’d cancelled, you’d get £50. If 4 people turn up to the booked table and eat a meal with drinks, is it worth an argument over £10 you want to deduct?
“Sorry you had to deal with aggressive customer, that sucks. But if I booked a table of 5, someone dropped out and 4 of us went and spent money as planned, I’d not expect a punishment.”
Allcock replied: “They didn’t call to inform us in advance. 5 people to a 4 means I have a free unsold table of 2. We’ve been turning people away all day. No punishment. It’s the terms. We also had a 2 no show that night who were charged £20. 3 covers lost is 15% of our business.”
Another added: “Worse still, they’ll never return. All over £10. I can understand taking the money if they didn’t turn up but their intentions were good as 4 of the 5 did. You’ve no idea what happened to the 5th & you may have unintentionally rubbed salt in. Surely repeat business is key.”
“If their intentions where good they would have called. Simple [sic],” Allcock replied. The chef has previously worked at the likes of the legendary Petrus in London, owned by Gordon Ramsay, and Gary Usher’s Burnt Truffle.
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