A new campaign has been launched in Greater Manchester to ‘stop the devastating effects of no shows’ on the restaurant industry
‘No shows’, a habit that the restaurant industry has been critical about long before the pandemic, has recently become a matter of life or death for businesses as restaurants struggle to survive the devastating effects of Covid-19.
This week, renowned pub chef Tom Kerridge reignited the ‘no shows’ debate, when he called out on Twitter 27 diners who failed to turn up at his London restaurant, yet didn’t cancel their reservation.
Following Kerridge’s Tweet, which found support in a number of other prominent chefs and hospitality professionals, Abi Dunn of hospitality recruitment business Sixty Eight People and Antonia Lallement from Gusto Italian launched the #nomorenoshows campaign.
Let's be blunt - with already reduced capacity we simply won’t survive if the current level of no shows continue
The initiative aims to create awareness around the ‘no show’ issue among consumers.
‘Our beloved hospitality industry is fighting for its life after the catastrophic events of the last three months,’ commented Dunn. ‘We are slowly getting back on our feet but let's be blunt - with already reduced capacity we simply won’t survive if the current level of no shows continue.’
The #nomorenoshows campaign urges diners to follow three simple steps after having booked a table at a restaurant:
- 'Plans change. That's cool. Just let us know.
- 'Rebook - we still love you.
- 'Encourage friends and family to do the same.'
‘British people tend to feel embarrassed about cancelling,’ explained Dunn. ‘We want to say it’s OK to cancel, in fact you're helping us out! In no other area of business is it acceptable to renege on a contract in this way.
‘We have to change the way people behave and the notion that no shows are acceptable. Greater Manchester is a metropolis of bars, dining, coffee hang outs, gastronomic delights and nights to remember. Please help them all stay open!’
For more on the ‘no show’ issue stay tune in to our next SipAdvisor podcast …
