Restaurant owner reveals the 'entitled' customer habit that's costing him £1,000 a WEEK in losses
Ferhat Dirik, owner of Mangal 2 in Hackney, London, shared a newsletter earlier this month outlining a change in customer habits that's costing his Turkish restaurant a pretty penny.
In the post, titled 'Manners', the owner wrote, 'What happened? When did an unbearable percentage of the general dining public become such insufferable, entitled, unforgiving p****?
'At which point did it become socially acceptable for the hospitality industry to become the sponge which soaks all the nation's vomit; its punching bag?'
Dirik, who has worked in the family-run restaurant for 25 years, went on to explain the negative customer behaviour patterns that he's spotted since he first started out on the dining floor at 14.
Among them was the claim that people are increasingly booking for a given number and then arriving in a smaller party size, which in turn can cost his business £1,000 a week, according to Metro.
The father-of-two explained, 'Customers will book a table for, say seven people, and turn up as a four. There'll be no correspondence prior to notify the restaurant, no warning.
'They'll arrive and very casually say 'Oh, three people dropped out, sorry.' M********, that's not good enough.
Ferhat Dirik (pictured left), owner of London's Mangal II, has claimed that 'entitled' customers are costing him £1,000 a week
Those two extra tables we cojoined, which could accommodate up to four more people, they've now just gone to waste.
'Our customers spend an average of £65 per person here, you do the math. That's £195 immediately down the drain, and a potential £260 had we known in advance and made the table/s available to book online to fill up prime location on a busy Friday night.
'If you make a commitment with your circle to dine somewhere, make sure it's with people you trust to not be flaky.
'If something comes up and some can't make it, let the restaurant know. It takes a single phone call/email. It's rude, it's inconsiderate, it's financially damaging, and frankly, it'll be the death of hospitality.'
It's an occurrence that is costing the Mangal 2 owner a fair buck, which can reportedly reach heights of £1,000 per week.
Elsewhere in the post, the owner added five other 'worrying' trends that he's spotted in recent times, including a rise in last-minute cancellations, 'unforgiving' reviews, more loud customers, and 'many allergens' to cater for.
He told Metro, 'There is a mindset of wanting to hate wherever they eat. Obviously as a service worker you want to rectify it, but there is such a combative attitude.
'A table that gets served their main before they do, would not have had starters or a simpler dish to prepare.
The restaurant owner also noted that people tend to be louder when dining out and aren't afraid of leaving unforgiving reviews
'And if they arrive and their table isn't ready? Often the customers themselves are early, and we spend the rest of the shift trying to make up for the 'bad' start.'
Award-winning Mangal 2 is a known and celebrated restaurant in the area, and has been a staple for surrounding communities since it's 1994 opening.
It comes after two Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana introduced a new rule which slaps an £100 fee on every person in a dining party before they've even walked through the door.
The controversial mandate, introduced by the celeb hotspot restaurant in November, mandates that every guest visiting the site must pay the deposit of £100 before arriving - which then becomes their minimum spend for the evening.
It's a rule that has now been replicated by eateries across the capital as the hospitality industry cracks down on no-shows, last minute cancellations, reservation resale websites and 'reservation squatting'.
According to Chris D'Sylva - the owner of Michelin-starred Dorian, in Notting Hill - there's been an uptick in the number of people who block up tables at multiple restaurants and then only show up for one reservation.
As a result, Mr D'Sylva told the Financial Times, he has been forced to impose a 'slightly punitive' £25 deposit that also helps ward off clout-chasing food influencers.
'It's something to drive away influencers that come and all they want to do is say that they were there and get the benefit of the social currency and post on their Instagram to the detriment of the business,' he told the newspaper.
In the blog post, titled 'Manners', the father-of-two revealed six changes in customer habits that he's noticed since he first started out
But collab-hungry influencers - looking to barter social media exposure for free food and drinks - are just as bad as bots that snap up the best tables so they can later be 'scalped' to the highest bidder, said Matt Tucker, the head of restaurant reservation platform Tock.
Three-figure minimum spend requirements have also begun to feature on Tock's website - with diners looking to enjoy the Omakase experience at The Araki in Mayfair have to fork over £310 per head in advance of their meal.
But, Mr Tucker added, the idea isn't to 'gouge the guests or the customer in any way'.
'This is just saying, 'we are making a contract between the two of us that you're going to show up and I'm going to provide you the best meal, the best service',' he continued.
Another restaurant and nightlife booking site Dorsia levies a £50 - £150 minimum spend charge for all the London eateries on its platform.
Its founder Marc Lotenberg revealed these amounts were calculated by 'pricing algorithms' based on average spends at the restaurant during different dining slots.
But whether it's because of 'reservation-squatters', bots, content creators, or the restaurant industry's soaring costs - with rent, wages, and food prices all sky-rocketing - one thing is for sure - dining out in London often means dropping serious cash.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Express
24 minutes ago
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Bag a desirable plug-in hybrid BMW X3 M Sport for less than £380 a month
Great ride, handling and in-car technology Up to 54 miles electric range £378.31 per month on a three-year lease There's a huge number of mid-size SUVs out there on today's market, but very few can challenge a BMW X3 for driving experience or desirability. The looks may not appeal to everyone, but when a plug-in hybrid model in sporty M Sport trim can be leased for under £380 a month, most will be only too happy to squint a bit. This BMW X3 lease deal is from First Vehicle Leasing via the Auto Express Buy A Car service, and runs for three years. You'll have to find a £4,890 initial payment to set the ball rolling, before shelling out £378 a month. There's a 5,000-mile annual limit on this deal, and extending to a more realistic 8,000 miles takes the price to £408 per month. Go for a 10,000 limit and it's £428. Advertisement - Article continues below This is no ordinary X3, though. It's the xDrive 30e plug-in hybrid with petrol and electric power combining for a 295bhp output. The official WLTP combined electric range is 54 miles, so it will be perfectly possible for drivers with easy access to charging to travel on electric power most of the time. That equates to very low running costs. The car comes in BMW's appealing M Sport trim, which means 19-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara and brushed aluminium interior trim, firmer M Sport suspension, an M Sport steering wheel and black headlining. There's also gloss black trim on the exterior. That's on top of basic X3 features such as the latest BMW infotainment system – which we've been very impressed by on our tests – climate control, electric seats and a full suite of electronic driver aids. It all adds up to a truly desirable package that is tremendous value. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Buy A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top BMW X3 leasing offers from leading providers on our BMW X3 deals page. Check out the BMW X3 deal now or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts Forget Netflix, Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription Forget Netflix, Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription Owners can now subscribe to boost the power of their car… for a fee Shock new mid-size Range Rover to get EV power and stunning design Shock new mid-size Range Rover to get EV power and stunning design Mid-size SUV will end the four-year wait for a new JLR model and our exclusive images preview how it could look New Jaecoo E5 is a Range Rover lookalike with a very attractive price New Jaecoo E5 is a Range Rover lookalike with a very attractive price Chinese newcomer's first electric SUV is also a rival to the award-winning Kia EV3 and Hyundai Kona Electric
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Angela Rayner warned thousands of new homes at risk of dangerous lead pollution
A housing project in Kent that could provide 3,500 homes to support Angela Rayner's housebuilding drive has been paused amid claims that dangerous lead pollution from a neighbouring refinery could put future residents at risk. The project, which comes amid government plans to fast-track new developments and build 1.5m homes, would see thousands of homes built next to one of Europe's leading lead refineries on brownfield land in Gravesham, Kent. Planning permission was initially granted by Gravesham Borough Council following a planning application in October 2022, but the project is now under review amid fears its location would make it dangerous for residents, with Britannia Refined Metals (BRM), the owner of the refinery, itself saying the area is 'a lead pollution hotspot'. The developers have pointed to the government's drive for new housing, saying that a 'radical response is required, including by approving development that may be controversial'. The scheme includes up to 3,500 homes, commercial space, a new hotel and a new stadium for Ebbsfleet United Football Club. A planning inquiry opened in May and ran for four weeks before being adjourned. It is expected to resume next month. Once it delivers its findings, the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government will take a decision on whether the project can proceed. While the refinery has operated safely for decades under strict controls, BRM has warned that anyone living on the proposed residential site would have a high exposure to lead. 'It is a lead pollution hotspot - you could put residential development anywhere else in the South East of England and the concentration of lead would be lower than on the application site,' BRM said in its opening submissions to the inquiry. 'And people coming to live on the site would have a far higher exposure to lead here than where they have come from.' They warned that there is 'no safe level for exposure to lead', adding: 'The health and neurotoxic effects of lead have no identified threshold, and children are among the most vulnerable to its effects even at low levels. 'Exposure to lead is harmful and preventable by not bringing residents close to a lead pollution hotspot.' The World Health Organisation says exposure to lead, which was attributed to more than 1.5 million deaths globally in 2021, can affect the development of the central nervous system in children, while in adults it can cause 'increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage'. The development plan includes community orchards and allotments near the refinery, an idea BRM brands as irresponsible. 'Imagine the scene, kids foraging fruit within a few metres of people working on the BRM premises wearing full protective clothing including helmets with filtered air units. It's hard to think of a more irresponsible idea', the refinery said. But the developers, Northfleet Harbourside, have dismissed BRM's warnings as merely 'a cluster of technical and operational points'. 'The BRM operation and the scheme would be able to co-exist without the latter imposing unreasonable requirements on the former', they said in their submission to the inquiry. The submission continues: 'The secretary of state has made it as clear as anything in the world of planning the scale of the national housing crisis, of which this Gravesham situation forms a part, is so great that a radical response is required, including by approving development that may be controversial. 'Trying to deliver many more homes is the fundamental aim of the government's national planning reforms but its application has to be local and involves keeping a beady eye on what matters most. 'Against that background, it is clear that 3,500 homes would be a tremendous stride forward in housing delivery for the borough, delivered on sustainably located, previously-developed land. The scheme would make an important contribution to pressing local and national needs.' The government's updated national planning policy framework (NPPF) commits to a 'brownfield first' strategy, with disused sites that have already been developed in the past prioritised for new buildings. The default answer when a developer seeks to build on brownfield sites will be 'yes', but the government says these sites will not be enough for the number of homes needed. Meanwhile, the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill is intended to rip up red tape and make it faster for projects to be approved. But there are concerns a drive to hit housing targets could force social housing onto unsuitable sites, without proper safeguards. The Northfleet Harbourside project would include 350 affordable housing units, 10 per cent of the overall residential space. Once the inquiry has closed the inspector will prepare a report and recommendation for Ministers in MHCLG to consider. Upon receipt of the report, it is understood ministers will then have 13 weeks to issue a decision. Speaking in December, Sir Keir Starmer said the government is 'determined to do what's necessary' to build enough homes. 'For years, we have had not enough houses being built. That means that individuals and families don't have the security that they want', he said. 'Of course we want to get the balance right with nature and the environment, but if it comes to a human being wanting to have a house for them and their family, that has to be the top priority'.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Five ways to save hundreds on your tax bill this year as millions face paying more
MILLIONS of workers are set to pay more tax on their earnings in the coming years because of frozen tax thresholds. It's estimated an extra 4.1million more workers will be dragged into higher tax bands by 2027-28. 1 Income tax thresholds have been frozen since 2022, meaning that as wages have increased more people are being forced to pay extra. The previous Conservative Government had frozen income tax thresholds until April 2028, and it's now rumoured this could be extended. The higher rate tax band is frozen at £50,270, which means any earnings over this amount are taxed at 40%. Meanwhile, the additional tax band is currently fixed at £125,140, beyond which any earnings are taxed at 45%. There are some things you can do to cut your tax bill, though. The Sun explains… Apply for tax relief You can cut your tax bill by claiming relief on your job expenses. This means you'll take home more of your income and pay less in tax. To be eligible, you must use your own money for things you need to buy for your job and that you only use for work. This could include things like uniforms, work clothes, tools, vehicles you use for work, travel and overnight costs. It can also include the costs of working from home. HMRC using AI to scan social media for tax evasion investigations You can't claim tax relief if your employer pays for any of these things or offers you alternative equipment. But if you are eligible, you'll get the relief based on what you've spent and the rate at which you pay tax. So if you claim £60 of tax relief and usually pay tax at 20%, you'll get £12 back. For more information and to make a claim visit Use salary sacrifice You can top up your income without paying any tax by using salary sacrifice. This lets you exchange some of your wages for a different benefit from your employer, such as a company car, childcare vouchers or pension contributions. Of course, your salary will then be reduced by the cost of any benefits you choose. But as your salary is lower you will pay less tax and National Insurance. So if you were on the UK average salary of £37,430 and you sacrificed £200 a month into your pension, you would save around £480 a year in income tax. You would also save nearly £200 in National Insurance, taking your total saving to £672. Not all employers will offer salary sacrifice so you should check with them. This method won't boost your take-home pay but it will cut your tax bill and make your money go further. Claim marriage allowance You can claim this if you're married or in a civil partnership. Every worker has a personal allowance of £12,570, which is the amount of money they can earn each year before they start to pay income tax. Marriage Allowance is a special tax rule that lets you transfer £1,260 of your personal allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. Your income must be below £12,570 and your partner must pay Income Tax at the basic rate, which usually means their income must be between £12,571 and £50,270. Many couples haven't claimed because they don't realise it exists, but it can be backdated for up to four years. The fastest way to apply for the allowance is online and you should get an email confirming your application within 24 hours. You can also claim Marriage Allowance by post using the MATCF form. For more information visit Pay more into your pension Simply upping your pension contributions is another way to cut your tax bill. At the moment you're entitled to income tax relief on your pension contributions, so a standard-rate taxpayer will get 20% relief and so on. Some schemes will let you get all your tax relief automatically but with others you will need to claim higher or additional-rate tax relief from HMRC. If you have a defined contribution pension, which is most likely if you're in the private sector, you can choose to increase your pension contributions and you won't pay income tax on the extra amount you pay in. If you have a defined benefit pension, which you likely do if you're in the public sector, you won't be able to change your contributions in the same way. However you can still look at buying added pension within your scheme or make use of additional voluntary contributions. Open an ISA account People with savings could end up paying income tax on the interest they earn. Most people have a personal savings allowance of £12,570 that you won't need to pay tax on. But if your total income - including savings interest - is between £12,570 and £50,270 then you will need to pay income tax if you earn over £1,000 in savings interest. If you earn between £50,270 and £125,140, you owe tax on the amount earned over £500. For people earning over £125,140, you can't earn any interest without paying tax. However, everyone can cut their tax bill by putting their money into an ISA. These are like normal savings accounts but you don't have to pay tax on interest earned if you put in up to £20,000 a year.
