Tube Feeding And Restaurants.

[barry1010]

My wife has just tried to book a restaurant for a family celebration next May for 12 people. The restaurant wants a deposit, naturally, but wants £5 per head. When my wife explained that one of is tube fed and cannot eat at all she was told that he would still have to pay the minimum cover charge of £30.

We are looking for another restaurant but are bitterly disappointed - or are we being mean in not expecting to pay? We expect the overall bill to be well over £800.

We can't be the only ones in this situation, would love to hear your thoughts/experiences.

[curlygirlies]

Depends how badly you want to eat at the restaurant. 11 of you could just pitch in £3 to pay the cover charge on the one that won't be eating.

[Bobbisox1]

They make work it on bums on seats Barry but personally I think they’re being a bit churlish about this

[Sqad]

It isn't the fault of the restaurant that one of the party will not require feeding.
Supposing another member was " just not hungry" at the time, the management would still require a minimum charge.
C'est la vie

[barry1010]

I think they are being very churlish, too, Bobbi.

[barry1010]

They make their money from 'bums on seats' but I don't think a stranger would be seated at the table amongst a booked party of 11.

[Bobbisox1]

Sqad, you said
/// Supposing another member was " just not hungry" at the time, the management would still require a minimum charge///
They’d have paid that prior to going though

[THECORBYLOON]

What about making sure no-one leaves a tip?

[Bobbisox1]

No, I’d agree Barry , you should maybe give them a call and ask what their disabled policy is?

[barry1010]

My wife often has a poor appetite and when we eat out she is happy to pay full price for a smaller portion - better than the food going to waste. A plate full of food can kill her appetite altogether.

[Sqad]

Bobbie....true.

Mrs sqad agrees it is churlish and find another restaurant.

Bobbie...have you checked your emails?

[curlygirlies]

Barry, so the place wants 12 x £5 deposit? Seems reasonable to me. Your wife then mentioned one person was not going to be eating and they said they would still need the £5 deposit for them plus he would have to pay £25 on the day even though he was not eating as the minimum cover charge was £30?

[barry1010]

Wish we had thought of that during the telephone conversation, Corby.
Bobbi, I will write and ask them about their disability policy - some things are better in writing.
We are quite decided to find an alternative venue.
In all likelihood, the bill will be over £1000 and we'd rather spend the money where we are all made to feel welcome and included.

[Bobbisox1]

Just checked Sqad, nothing , not even in Spam folder :0(

[barry1010]

Yes, Curly - the deposit is very reasonable in my opinion.

[naomi24]

I know restaurants organise set menus for Christmas and Mothers' Day and all that, and want payment up front, but in normal circumstances who pays a restaurant bill before they've eaten? That can't be done.

I can understand the restaurant asking for a small cover charge - after all, everyone will be using their facilities - but with a lucrative booking for twelve, as a gesture of goodwill I think it would be in their interests to waive a charge on this occasion. I doubt they can expect a second booking from your family.

[Khandro]

£30 as a proportion of 800 isn't too bad, and if you really like the restaurant - reduce the tip to compensate :0)

[drmorgans]

Doesn't a lower tip affect the waitrons rather than the management, who made the decision?

[Sqad]

bobbie check again.

[Bobbisox1]

Will do Sqad ( sorry Barry)

[Patsy33]

I agree with Curlygirlies, pitch in £3 each.
Seems a shame to give up this good restaurant.
I expect these businesses will all be the same. You can't blame them to be fair.