Restaurant owner defends £30 deposit rule policy

A restaurant owner is facing backlash after defending his policy on deposit payments. Mike Evans runs Bistro 115 in New Brighton and recently dealt with a situation involving a group of six friends who made a dinner reservation. They paid a £10 deposit per person but only three attended, as the other three were ill. In a TripAdvisor review, the diners praised the meal and service but expressed disappointment when they saw the deposit was not deducted from their bill. Mike took to social media to explain his choice to keep the deposit. He emphasized the impact of cancellations on his small business, stating that losing three customers meant losing more potential income. While some online commenters supported him, many criticized his tone, especially after he called those who did not understand the rule "idiots." In follow-up comments, he clarified that he only keeps deposits when he cannot fill the cancelled reservation. Mike explained that his decision is part of a broader struggle within the restaurant industry, particularly due to rising costs like VAT and wages. He noted that many people in hospitality are currently facing financial challenges. National data shows cancellations can significantly hurt restaurant earnings, with most businesses reporting that missed reservations negatively affect their revenue. Mike mentioned that many customers cancel due to illness, but some simply forget their bookings. He announced that he intends to keep up his deposit policy to help maintain his business.