We've all done it, lifted the odd pint glass from a pub as a souvenir but some people it seems like to take it that little bit further.
So much so, that a group of popular bars and restaurants in the capital is offering an amnesty to customers who own up to having stolen from them giving them a chance to return astounding items take such as a six-foot Nutcracker and a £500 speaker.
While glassware may be the most popular choice to sneakily put in a bag, the venues have revealed the more bizarre items they have had stolen from their venues and have appealed to customers to do the right thing by returning them. Those who clear their conscience will be rewarded with a voucher for Edinburgh cocktail bar and restaurant, Badger & Co.
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The most bizarre stolen items from Edinburgh bars and restaurants include:
Six-Foot Nutcracker
Two days after installation ahead of the festive period in 2022, The Queen’s Arms in Edinburgh reported its 6ft nutcracker was ripped from its stand leaving just a pair of shoes behind.
Large Dinner Plate
Following a dinner for two at The Huxley, staff noticed a large plate was taken from the table, presumably slipped in a handbag or under a jacket. A short time later and after guilt set in, the crockery was returned in a box of sweets with an apology letter.
Thousands of Personalised Mint Boxes
If you’ve been to Edinburgh’s speakeasy cocktail joint, Heads & Tales, you will no doubt be familiar with their personalised mint boxes used to present customers with bills, 100 of which go missing every two weeks.
Toilet Signage
Customers at The Boozy Cow were left rather confused for an evening when toilet signage was removed from the doors.
Clock
A customer of The Black Bull in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket removed their sizable clock from the wall and slipped it under their t-shirt before attempting a quick exit. Shocked, and equally amazed, the bar manager approached the culprit and the clock was handed back over.
Door Handles
A bespoke toilet door handle was stolen from Rose Street’s Element, however, was quickly recovered when the customer moved on to The Basement Bar which, unfortunately for them, is also owned by Signature Pubs and a member of staff recognised the unique design.
£500 Speaker
A customer made the decision to swipe a £500 speaker from the private dining space of Badger & Co, which wasn’t the most sophisticated of crimes as the suspect’s name and contact details were left on the booking. Needless to say, the speaker was returned.
Absolut Mystery
Absolut Vodka sponsored Edinburgh’s Cold Town House’s eye-catching flower wall display which meant adding large As to the wall, which were then stolen twice. Is an Edinburgh local starting a large alphabet display?
A Book for Each Day of the Month
Winds in the Willows-inspired cocktail bar, Badger & Co., recently began serving their bills within the 20th-century book, on average one of which has gone missing every day for the past month.
Salt & Pepper Shakers
Upon setting up for opening at underground venue Heads & Tales, staff became aware that all the salt and pepper shakers had been stolen in one full sweep the night before.
Business development manager for Signature Pubs, Hannah McConnachie, said: “Hospitality venues across the board are undoubtedly familiar with losing the likely suspects of glassware and the odd hand-bag sized branded item to a few sticky-fingered customers, however, it does become a costly issue when lifesize statues, thousands of branded boxes and toilet seats are swiped.
That said, we believe in second chances and are offering amnesty in the form of a voucher to be redeemed at Badger & Co. to anyone who returns the items to the respective venue, no questions asked.”
The stolen items amnesty applies to items returned in June to any of Signature Group’s 24 venues across Scotland.
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