The Restaurants Association of Ireland says no-shows continue to be 'soul destroying' to the sector.
One Dublin City Centre outlet had 18 people book and confirm a table yesterday, only to never arrive.
It has a total of 54 seats, so about a third of those were unoccupied.
Friday was the first time indoor dining has been allowed, as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
⚠️Update-No Shows
Restaurant Owner (54 seater) text me late last night to highlight the fact he had 18 noshow customers on his first evening back open
All guests had confirmed their arrival when phoned in the morning
“We had not requested deposits due to the times we are in”— Adrian Cummins 🇮🇪🇪🇺 (@adriancummins) December 5, 2020
Restaurants Association Says This Is 'Soul Destroying'
RAI Chief Executive Adrian Cummins says restaurant owners can't afford to keep tables empty:
"Diners booking restaurants and not showing up, it's soul destroying for these businesses."
"They're economically flattened at the moment, trying to save their business."
"Every customer that books a seat and doesn't show up is effectively lost revenue."
"It's money gone from businesses at a time when they need every customer they can get to keep the business afloat."
Similar story here about 40 people between both our restaurants just didn't show, they had all confirmed that afternoon. So disappointing as we turned away alot of people.
— Siam Thai (@SiamThaiDublin) December 5, 2020
Huge Pressure On The Industry
"If a business has a full restaurant with pre-bookings, and walk-ins arrive looking to be accommodated."
"Well obviously those that have made reservations will be the first priority."
"But when you have no-shows, people not turning up, that puts huge pressure on the industry."
"We have reduced capacity, have a limited time to trade in, everybody's just trying to do their best to keep the doors open."
