Restaurant no-shows cost Birmingham tables 62.50 pounds each

Diners who book a table and fail to turn up are costing Birmingham restaurants an average of 62.50 pounds for every table of two, according to new research, and one Sutton Coldfield restaurateur says the problem is "really disheartening".

The figures

The research found that 27 per cent of diners in Birmingham admitted to not turning up for a booking in the past year, and 22 per cent said they had booked more than one restaurant for the same occasion. Around 30 per cent of diners in the city thought giving between two and six hours' notice of a cancellation was acceptable.

Across the UK, 60 per cent of restaurant operators said no-shows forced them to turn away other customers, and 60 per cent reported wasted staffing costs. Nearly half said they had to throw away food and stock. The good news is that no-show rates across the UK fell by 6 per cent compared with last year.

"Really disheartening"

Sam Morgan, chief executive of Open Restaurant Group and part-owner of The Bracebridge in Sutton Coldfield, said diners would not think of buying a concert ticket and not turning up, but that some people believe a restaurant booking does not matter in the same way.

"People wouldn't dare dream of booking a concert ticket and effectively not showing," he said. "The impact, however, is great on us as a business and it's really disheartening."

The Bracebridge now takes credit card details when people make a reservation, which helps to reduce losses from no-shows but adds to the business's costs.

Why it matters

Restaurants plan their staffing and buy fresh food based on their bookings. When tables are left empty, they lose the income they would have earned, and may also have turned away other customers who wanted to eat. For small independent businesses operating on tight margins, regular no-shows can make the difference between making a profit and a loss.

Hospitality supports around 3.6 million jobs across the UK and contributes around 96 billion pounds a year to the economy.

A tough time for hospitality

Restaurants, pubs and cafes have faced a difficult few years, with higher energy bills, food prices, wages and business rates. The war involving Iran has pushed up costs again this year, and many owners say customers are being more careful with their spending.

How diners can help

• If your plans change, cancel as early as possible, ideally at least a day before.
• Avoid booking several restaurants for the same occasion.
• Let the restaurant know if you are running late or if the number in your party changes.
• Consider booking directly with the restaurant, which may help small businesses avoid commission fees.

Birmingham's food scene

Birmingham has one of the most varied food scenes in the country, from Michelin-starred restaurants in the city centre to the balti houses of the Balti Triangle, independent cafes in the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth, and family-run restaurants in suburbs such as Sutton Coldfield, Moseley and Harborne.

Supporting local businesses

Owners say the simplest way to support local restaurants is to keep booking, keep turning up, and leave a review when you have had a good meal.

Deposits and booking fees

A growing number of restaurants ask for a deposit or card details when people book, especially for larger groups and busy times such as Friday and Saturday nights and Christmas. Customers who cancel late may be charged a fee. Restaurants should make their policy clear when a booking is made.