Latest news with #CorinCamenisch
Metro
18-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Restaurant tipping rules are quietly changing — and service charges could rise to 20%
Name something more British than the awkward moment when one person wants to contest the service charge at dinner and the other just wants to pay the bill and skedaddle The whole situation becomes ten times more uncomfortable when it happens on a first date… This point of contention isn't going to get any easier any time soon, in fact, it might end up causing even more tension. That's because the UK's unwritten restaurant rules around service charges and tipping seem to be changing across the nation. Service charges are being added to bills just about everywhere these days – from your local pub to the tiny cafe on the corner. And honestly, with the struggles the hospitality industry has been facing amid the cost of living crisis, it's not much of a surprise. But what might come as a shock to some is that it's becoming the norm to see service charges of 15% these days on bills, instead of the 10 or 12.5% we'd all become accustomed to. How are service charges changing in the UK? Experts have claimed that 15% is going to become the new industry standard when it comes to restaurant service charges, while some suggest we could see this moving more in-line with the 20 to 25% tipping rate that's standard across America in the future. A number of popular restaurants have already started adding a 15% charge to bills so it's not difficult to see how this could quickly increase. In London, European restaurant The Wolseley has a discretionary 15% service charge as well as a mandatory £2.50 cover charge. Similarly, Fallow in St James's Market, a popular brunch spot, adds a 15% service charge to bills and a £1 charge to be donated to support the UN Women UK. The story is also the same at Gordon Ramsay's Lucky Cat restaurants in Mayfair and Bishopsgate, plus Bob Bob Ricard and Bebe Bob in Soho. Some believe the fees have been driven up by new government legislation that made it mandatory for all tips to be passed on to workers without any deductions. Corin Camenisch, marketing and growth Lead at SumUp, tells Metro: 'The current economic climate presents challenges for consumers, hospitality workers and employers. Part of the reason for the rise in service charges is the Allocation of Tips Act, which dictated that all tips and service charges must be given to hospitality staff. The act aimed to to create a fairer playing field for those in the service industry, meaning employees get a fair slice of their well earned gratuity, while also giving consumers peace of mind that when they tip, their money is going to the right place. 'Cash tips are already protected by law, but the new legislation goes further to cover tips added to a card payment which are more and more becoming the norm. Many hospitality workers are on the national or living wage and rely on tips, so making sure they get their fair share of the pie is the right thing to do both for businesses and the wider economy.' What is a service charge? When it comes to the purpose of these charges, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, previously told Metro: 'Service charge policies are set and determined by individual businesses, so it is up to them to determine the level of charge. 'Service charges serve a variety of functions, but primarily reward staff and provide a boost to employees' earnings, ensuring that venues can continue to provide the highest standard of service possible.' And while these charges might be a positive for hospitality employees, not all diners are happy about the changes. Metro journalist Gergana Krasteva branded London's tipping culture 'out of control' after being charged a 12.5% service fee for just one glass of wine at a bar in High Street Kensington. She said: 'I'm happy to tip if I sit down and have dinner at a restaurant, but not if the wine is poured in front of me at the actual bar and then I carry it to my table. Plus, they didn't give me an option. It was only after that I realised, which is the more annoying part. In general, I think tipping is out of control in London.' And Tom Bourlet had strong feelings about the idea of 25% charges like in the US. He told us: 'I've not seen any charge higher than 10% but it would be a shock to suddenly see 25% put on. Without wanting to sound harsh, I wouldn't exactly be happy, that's a huge amount to add. 10% being added to each drink in bars is bad.' And it's clear from new research by SumUp, that people in the UK aren't keen to leave bigger tips. Despite the number of businesses that have been applying suggested tips to digital payments increasing by 78% between 2022 and 2024, Brits haven't got on board with digital prompts to pay more. Instead, we've been sticking firmly at the familiar 10% rate. The average tip given by customers over the last three years remained between 10.2% and 10.6% according to the data. Corin comments: 'Unlike the US, where tipping is ingrained as the norm, British customers have historically been more reserved about tipping. Even as digital tipping simplifies the process, it seems this cultural reticence persists. 'To British punters' credit, they will go out and support venues and they'll tip the same 10% regardless of how bad the economy and inflation may hit them.' Do you have to pay a service charge? Don't worry – if you're not happy with the idea of paying an extra 15% or 20% on top of your bill, we checked with an expert and, yes, you can ask for it to be removed without sounding like a dreadful person. Etiquette coach John-Paul Stuthridge told Metro: 'The hospitality industry is often too turbulent at the best of times. It rarely has healthy cash flow or reserves other industries can depend on, not least the high turnover of staff and cost of recruitment. Throw in an extensive lockdown and a world cost of living crisis, restaurants have added service charges to help recoup their losses. Increasing the charge further helps them combat the crisis that is hard for some to say no to. 'You can much more easily not go to a restaurant that's upped its prices by 15%, but how many people will just accept a 15% service charge and politely say nothing? Many.' He continues: 'Whether you should ask to remove it may depend on how charitable you feel, or if the service genuinely deserved it. It is your call.' If you truly don't feel like the service is worthy of the charge on the bill, don't get mean about it, just be, as John-Paul recommends, 'direct and honest'. 'No reason needs to be given, however, if you are asked, then give your polite feedback in an honest, but short to-the-point manner,' he adds. 'The higher the figure for service charge, the less likely customers will oblige, but having it removed altogether, so guests can tip the individual server the amount they want to give remains a legitimate and more proper compromise.' Do you have a story to share?
Metro
18-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Restaurant tipping dubbed 'out of control' as UK service charges quietly change
Name something more British than the awkward moment when one person wants to contest the service charge at dinner and the other just wants to pay the bill and skedaddle The whole situation becomes ten times more uncomfortable when it happens on a first date… This point of contention isn't going to get any easier any time soon, in fact, it might end up causing even more tension. That's because the UK's unwritten restaurant rules around service charges and tipping seem to be changing across the nation. Service charges are being added to bills just about everywhere these days – from your local pub to the tiny cafe on the corner. And honestly, with the struggles the hospitality industry has been facing amid the cost of living crisis, it's not much of a surprise. But what might come as a shock to some is that it's becoming the norm to see service charges of 15% these days on bills, instead of the 10 or 12.5% we'd all become accustomed to. Experts have claimed that 15% is going to become the new industry standard when it comes to restaurant service charges, while some suggest we could see this moving more in-line with the 20 to 25% tipping rate that's standard across America in the future. A number of popular restaurants have already started adding a 15% charge to bills so it's not difficult to see how this could quickly increase. In London, European restaurant The Wolseley has a discretionary 15% service charge as well as a mandatory £2.50 cover charge. Similarly, Fallow in St James's Market, a popular brunch spot, adds a 15% service charge to bills and a £1 charge to be donated to support the UN Women UK. The story is also the same at Gordon Ramsay's Lucky Cat restaurants in Mayfair and Bishopsgate, plus Bob Bob Ricard and Bebe Bob in Soho. Some believe the fees have been driven up by new government legislation that made it mandatory for all tips to be passed on to workers without any deductions. Corin Camenisch, marketing and growth Lead at SumUp, tells Metro: 'The current economic climate presents challenges for consumers, hospitality workers and employers. Part of the reason for the rise in service charges is the Allocation of Tips Act, which dictated that all tips and service charges must be given to hospitality staff. The act aimed to to create a fairer playing field for those in the service industry, meaning employees get a fair slice of their well earned gratuity, while also giving consumers peace of mind that when they tip, their money is going to the right place. 'Cash tips are already protected by law, but the new legislation goes further to cover tips added to a card payment which are more and more becoming the norm. Many hospitality workers are on the national or living wage and rely on tips, so making sure they get their fair share of the pie is the right thing to do both for businesses and the wider economy.' When it comes to the purpose of these charges, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, previously told Metro: 'Service charge policies are set and determined by individual businesses, so it is up to them to determine the level of charge. 'Service charges serve a variety of functions, but primarily reward staff and provide a boost to employees' earnings, ensuring that venues can continue to provide the highest standard of service possible.' And while these charges might be a positive for hospitality employees, not all diners are happy about the changes. Metro journalist Gergana Krasteva branded London's tipping culture 'out of control' after being charged a 12.5% service fee for just one glass of wine at a bar in High Street Kensington. She said: 'I'm happy to tip if I sit down and have dinner at a restaurant, but not if the wine is poured in front of me at the actual bar and then I carry it to my table. Plus, they didn't give me an option. It was only after that I realised, which is the more annoying part. In general, I think tipping is out of control in London.' And Tom Bourlet had strong feelings about the idea of 25% charges like in the US. He told us: 'I've not seen any charge higher than 10% but it would be a shock to suddenly see 25% put on. Without wanting to sound harsh, I wouldn't exactly be happy, that's a huge amount to add. 10% being added to each drink in bars is bad.' And it's clear from new research by SumUp, that people in the UK aren't keen to leave bigger tips. Despite the number of businesses that have been applying suggested tips to digital payments increasing by 78% between 2022 and 2024, Brits haven't got on board with digital prompts to pay more. Instead, we've been sticking firmly at the familiar 10% rate. The average tip given by customers over the last three years remained between 10.2% and 10.6% according to the data. Corin comments: 'Unlike the US, where tipping is ingrained as the norm, British customers have historically been more reserved about tipping. Even as digital tipping simplifies the process, it seems this cultural reticence persists. 'To British punters' credit, they will go out and support venues and they'll tip the same 10% regardless of how bad the economy and inflation may hit them.' Don't worry – if you're not happy with the idea of paying an extra 15% or 20% on top of your bill, we checked with an expert and, yes, you can ask for it to be removed without sounding like a dreadful person. Etiquette coach John-Paul Stuthridge told Metro: 'The hospitality industry is often too turbulent at the best of times. It rarely has healthy cash flow or reserves other industries can depend on, not least the high turnover of staff and cost of recruitment. Throw in an extensive lockdown and a world cost of living crisis, restaurants have added service charges to help recoup their losses. Increasing the charge further helps them combat the crisis that is hard for some to say no to. 'You can much more easily not go to a restaurant that's upped its prices by 15%, but how many people will just accept a 15% service charge and politely say nothing? Many.' More Trending He continues: 'Whether you should ask to remove it may depend on how charitable you feel, or if the service genuinely deserved it. It is your call.' If you truly don't feel like the service is worthy of the charge on the bill, don't get mean about it, just be, as John-Paul recommends, 'direct and honest'. 'No reason needs to be given, however, if you are asked, then give your polite feedback in an honest, but short to-the-point manner,' he adds. View More » 'The higher the figure for service charge, the less likely customers will oblige, but having it removed altogether, so guests can tip the individual server the amount they want to give remains a legitimate and more proper compromise.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Everything I ate in a weekend of pintxos hopping in San Sebastián MORE: What's Cooking? I worked in cabin crew for 12 years — avoid these five foods on planes MORE: Five people stabbed at late-night party in London are all arrested
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Check out Cork attraction that is Ireland's eighth most ‘underrated' tourist hotspot
The Cork attraction has been open to tourists for just over a decade A Cork tourist attraction has been listed among Ireland's most 'underrated' to visit this year. A new report from SumUp, known best for their contactless payment terminals that flooded mobile coffee shops during the pandemic, has revealed Ireland's most underrated tourist hotspots. The study considered a number of factors, including number of reviews, tourist traffic, and the cost of public transport. Rated first on the list is Dublin's 14 Henrietta Street museum, with Skellig Michael in Kerry and the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal also placing within the top three. However, Spike Island, across the water from Cobh, has earned itself a respectable eighth position in the rankings, scoring 84.85 points out of 100 on the index. Spike Island has a long and storied history. Known best as the site of a prison for many decades, the first settlement dates back to a monastery built in the 7th century, while the largest convict depot in the world during Victorian times was also situated on the small island in the middle of the harbour. Spike Island had previously held a Defence Forces barracks before the prison, with families of army members forming their own community on the island, that had a small primary school and a number of houses, still intact from its army days. The island served as a prison as recently as 2004, with its most infamous moment coming when prisoners rioted in 1984, causing destruction and damage to the prison and some of its historic property. In 2010 it was handed over to Cork County Council, who put significant work into updating the site into a tourist centre, which opened in 2016, and serves as the perfect day trip on the Cork-Cobh train, as boats bring visitors over and back from the nearby town several times a day. Spike has a number of walking trails that go around the island, as well as a museum on the main Fort Mitchell, and a schedule of ever-changing exhibitions that keep every visit fresh. 'We created this ranking to spotlight some of Ireland's hidden gems—places that are often overlooked in favour of the usual tourist spots like Dublin Castle or Guinness Storehouse,' said Corin Camenisch, Marketing and Growth Leader at SumUp. 'By highlighting these underrated hotspots, we're hoping to show people spots they might not know about and spread the benefits of local tourism.' 'With TikTokers and influencers constantly sharing cool, off-the-beaten-path places, more and more people are eager to discover unique destinations, and we think that's a great way to help local economies thrive. By bringing attention to these lesser-known landmarks, we hope to not only provide visitors with new and enriching experiences but also support small businesses that may not have the same visibility as those placed in larger, well-known, tourist attractions. 'These hidden gems often rely on tourism to sustain their operations, and by shining a light on them, we're hoping to ensure that local businesses can benefit from a steady flow of visitors, which is crucial for their growth and long-term success.'
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Check out Cork attraction that is Ireland's eighth most ‘underrated' tourist hotspots
The Cork attraction has been open to tourists for just over a decade A Cork tourist attraction has been listed among Ireland's most 'underrated' to visit this year. A new report from SumUp, known best for their contactless payment terminals that flooded mobile coffee shops during the pandemic, has revealed Ireland's most underrated tourist hotspots. The study considered a number of factors, including number of reviews, tourist traffic, and the cost of public transport. Rated first on the list is Dublin's 14 Henrietta Street museum, with Skellig Michael in Kerry and the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal also placing within the top three. However, Spike Island, across the water from Cobh, has earned itself a respectable eighth position in the rankings, scoring 84.85 points out of 100 on the index. Spike Island has a long and storied history. Known best as the site of a prison for many decades, the first settlement dates back to a monastery built in the 7th century, while the largest convict depot in the world during Victorian times was also situated on the small island in the middle of the harbour. Spike Island had previously held a Defence Forces barracks before the prison, with families of army members forming their own community on the island, that had a small primary school and a number of houses, still intact from its army days. The island served as a prison as recently as 2004, with its most infamous moment coming when prisoners rioted in 1984, causing destruction and damage to the prison and some of its historic property. In 2010 it was handed over to Cork County Council, who put significant work into updating the site into a tourist centre, which opened in 2016, and serves as the perfect day trip on the Cork-Cobh train, as boats bring visitors over and back from the nearby town several times a day. Spike has a number of walking trails that go around the island, as well as a museum on the main Fort Mitchell, and a schedule of ever-changing exhibitions that keep every visit fresh. 'We created this ranking to spotlight some of Ireland's hidden gems—places that are often overlooked in favour of the usual tourist spots like Dublin Castle or Guinness Storehouse,' said Corin Camenisch, Marketing and Growth Leader at SumUp. 'By highlighting these underrated hotspots, we're hoping to show people spots they might not know about and spread the benefits of local tourism.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'With TikTokers and influencers constantly sharing cool, off-the-beaten-path places, more and more people are eager to discover unique destinations, and we think that's a great way to help local economies thrive. By bringing attention to these lesser-known landmarks, we hope to not only provide visitors with new and enriching experiences but also support small businesses that may not have the same visibility as those placed in larger, well-known, tourist attractions. 'These hidden gems often rely on tourism to sustain their operations, and by shining a light on them, we're hoping to ensure that local businesses can benefit from a steady flow of visitors, which is crucial for their growth and long-term success.'
Euronews
12-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Which European country's small business owners are the hardest working?
UK entrepreneurs self-care the most, while the majority of Italians and French rarely skip their lunch break. ADVERTISEMENT Small business owners are the backbone of the European economy. Micro and small enterprises (fewer than 50 employees) make up 99% of the EU total, according to Eurostat. Small entrepreneurs are also hardest working in business. They tend to work at least 41 hours a week, compared to the EU employee average of 36 hours. A new study by fintech company SumUp on nearly 4,000 small entrepreneurs in Ireland, Italy, the UK, Germany and France reveals huge differences in how they go about their working day. Brits say 'no thanks' to lunch-breaks, Italians take over an hour In the UK, 43% of small business entrepreneurs say they rarely take lunch breaks, according to the report. That is in huge contrast compared to Italy and France, where only 11% and 17% skip lunch, respectively. Italy had the highest rate (33%) of respondents who admit taking lunch breaks longer than one hour. France trails at (15%), followed Germany (12%) and Ireland (6%), while the UK was bottom (5%). Germans and French prioritise self-care, Brits like family-time Although 38% of Brits like to spend time with their family when they're free, they're also those giving the least importance to their self-care (34%) among the countries surveyed. Self-care is at 38% in Ireland, over 41% in France, 47% in Germany and over 52% in Italy. "Small businesses in the UK have been hit by wave upon wave of misfortune, from COVID-19 to the cost of living crisis and a rise in national insurance in the budget. Owners are doing everything they can to stay afloat," says SumUp's Product Marketing lead Corin Camenisch. "But without looking after yourself, you can quickly burn out or suffer physical symptoms. The glorification of constant work can lead to misconceptions about what it means to be successful." Which entrepreneurs have the longest working week? Eurostat data gives us a clearer picture of how many hours self-employed people actually work. Looking at entrepreneurs across all company sizes - 99% of which are small businesses -the hardest workers are the Belgians, clocking in an average of 48.9 hours per week. They are followed by Cypriots (47.5) and Greeks (47.3). ADVERTISEMENT At the other end of the scale, Baltic countries put in the least hours, with Latvia (37.8), Estonia (38.8), and Lithuania (39.3) at the bottom of the list. The UK is not included in Eurostat data, however, the SumUp research says 41% of British small-entrepreneurs work over 40 hours a week, with 10% putting in over 60 hours. Irish and Italian women more likely to sacrifice holidays than men There is more consistency across the board in the amount of time off taken during the year. Brits are the most likely to take less than one week's holidays. However, this rate is only 13.8%, followed by France at 12%, Italy at 11.9%, Germany (11.1%) and Ireland (8.1%). ADVERTISEMENT There is a gender gap in certain countries in this regard, however. Italian and Irish female entrepreneurs are more likely to sacrifice their holidays for work than their male counterparts: +9.1% in Italy and +6.3% in Ireland.
