Hampshire pubs hit by 'damaging' no-shows since reopening

As of April 12, pubs and restaurants have been allowed to open for outdoor service only for the first time in months after coronavirus restrictions were eased.

But now, several pubs have said they have lost money due to people booking tables but not showing up.

At The Lapstone in Horton Heath, owner Russ Kitching claimed that 15 per cent of bookings last weekend didn't show up despite bringing in live music for those two days.

• The historic Hampshire pub with its own resident ghost

The Lapstone, Horton Heath, photo credit: Carl Maskelyne

Russ said: "It's not good. Some people just block book and don't support. We take 50% of our turnover at weekends and that's when a no-show can be quite damaging.

"We get the staff in to serve 100 covers and then we balance it with walk-ins so when they don't show up it's a real shame. Unfortunately others will have to suffer now as we might have to put a different system in place."

Russ claimed he is now considering bringing in a deposit for booking tables, something he said "we don't want to do".

Staff and management outside The Four Horseshoes.

At The Four Horseshoes in Nursling, General Manager, Sarah Edom, said the pubs first first weeks of trade since re-opening have been "tarnished" by people not showing up.

"We find, on average, two tables a day don’t turn up and haven’t the courtesy to call us to say their plans have changed. The knock on affect is a couple or family who we’ve had to turn away hasn’t been able to eat out and support us.

"Our message is: Please play fair and let pubs and restaurants know if your plans have changed as soon as possible. We really can’t afford the lost revenue. It’s very damaging.”

This comes after one quarter of people didn't turn up at The George in Fordingbridge on Saturday last week, costing the business around £1,000.

The Dancing Man Brewery.

Aidan Lavin, co-owner of The Dancing Man Brewery in Town Quay said however that his business isn't doing bookings as it boasts a large outside area, but added that he feels for businesses that do not have that at their disposal.

"It's turning into an absolute nightmare for outlets like ourselves because we're promising tables to people who are booking here there and everywhere and just taking what suits them."

He claimed that in the past the Dancing Man has had as many as sixty covers not turn up in one night.

The Good Companions on Leigh Road, Eastleigh.

Daniel Morgan, co-owner of The Good Companions in Eastleigh added that although his business has been fine since reopening, their has been points where the pub has been fully booked so people have been turned away, only for those who have booked to not turn up.

He said: "Whilst you're outside I don't see a way round it."