Management at Dine in Edinburgh’s cultural district said it would now incur credit card charges for bookings after losing 80 bookings in the space of a week. time it tries to grow the business after the latest nationwide lockdown restrictions reopened last month.
Around £ 3,000 of business was reportedly lost at Dine on Friday night alone by the restaurant after being unable to fill 60% of its tables – despite being full.
The brasserie and cocktail bar were opened almost six years ago by Paul Brennan and Stuart Muir on a site above the Traverse Theater on Cambridge Street.
The restaurant is also an official hospitality partner of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Lyceum Theater.
Dine is the latest hotel company in town to go public with the impact of late cancellations and no-shows, at a time when demand for tables has skyrocketed due to limited capacity due to social distancing rules and reduced opening hours.
Brennan took to social media to protest the treatment at the restaurant.
In a post on the restaurant’s Twitter account Saturday night, he said, “Why do people think late cancellations and not showing up are okay?
“Today we had 24, yesterday 29, 17 Monday.
“Food costs and additional wages are not sustainable when we are trying to rebuild a business and save jobs. Credit cards on tables of 4+ from Monday.
Brennan, who reported nine more cancellations on Sunday, added later: “A table was canceled 30 minutes before the session because someone had fallen ‘sick’ with Covid.
“Their Facebook account showed them high and dancing on Rose Street.
“We called a customer who didn’t show up and they had booked two restaurants, so they have no conscience.
“We could have sold these seats multiple times, instead 60% of a Friday session was empty.
“I just don’t know how someone can consciously make a decision to have a financial impact on a business. Four staff members were sent home early on Friday after staying home for 14 months doing nothing… it boggles the mind.
“This problem has a big impact on the team when it is wasting hours because people didn’t show up. Our team is fantastic and deserves more.
Other restaurants in town have sent Dine messages of support in response to their reservation issues.
A response from 21212, led by Paul Kitching and Katie O’Brien, said, “We all feel this pain, I think. We don’t want to accept deposits and card details. We just want people to do the right thing. Why can’t they? I just don’t understand. Who are these people who don’t think about it?
Other hotel companies that have experienced similar issues in recent weeks include Aizle in the West End, Roseleaf in Leith, and The Bow Bar in the Old Town.
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