WARNING FROM HOSPITALITY SECTOR Ghost customers are killing us off
Stephen Stewart Struggling restaurants have been hit again – with hundreds of no- show bookings days after restrictions were eased.
Industry leaders warned customers may now be forced to pay a deposit for a table.
From last Wednesday, restaurants, pubs and cafes in Scotland were able to serve customers indoors for the first time in almost four months.
But businesses have been left frustrated with customers failing to keep bookings.
Paul Waterson, of the Scot t ish Licensed Trade Association, said no- shows were “a real problem” and could force owners to shed more jobs.
He added that social distancing had resulted in many businesses operating at less than 50 per cent capacity and said charging depos i t s cou ld be introduced to combat the no-show issue.
The warning came as the Scottish Government revealed there had been no coronavirus deaths for the second day in a row. Hospital deaths from the virus remain at 2491 but there had been an increase of 21 cases from Friday.
Water son, who owns Stirling’s Golden Lion Hotel, said: “It’s soul- destroying for people to take bookings and then be hit with no-shows.
“Charging deposits is a solut ion but that poses questions about how much to charge.
“People have to respect the operators and give them notice if they won’t be turning up.”
Paul Reynolds, owner of Gin71 on Glasgow’s Renfield Street, said that on Friday 100 tables were booked but more than a third failed to turn up.
He added: “I’m enraged by this. We had 37 tables, that’s 90
Consumers who accept credit notes for cancelled package holidays will get their cash back if the firm goes bust, the Government said yesterday.
Customers whose trips are scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic are being offered a credit note by many travel firms to help their cash flow.
They can be used to rebook or request a cash refund at a later date, but there were doubts as to whether they were protected by Atol.
Consumer group Which? advised people to reject the refund credit notes.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, left, told BBC Breakfast: “Credit notes will be backed by Government.”
It covers credits issued from March 10 to September 30.
Consumers remain entitled to a cash refund.
CAA consumer boss Paul Smith said: “This provides much-needed clarity.”
Some firms are offering vouchers instead of cash. These are not Atol protected.