A group of four individuals brazenly walked out of a Greater Manchester restaurant without paying their £234 bill after indulging in a lavish Valentine's Day meal, leaving the owner heartbroken and issuing a public appeal for their return.
Incident Details
The incident occurred at Chadderton Bar and Grill on Valentine's Day, where the group, consisting of two women and two men, consumed eight pornstar martinis, double Malibus, fillet steaks, ice-creams, and desserts. According to owner Lokman Gurbuz, the group had not booked a table and had to wait approximately 15 minutes before being seated.
Escape Tactics
Mr. Gurbuz described how the group executed a classic dine-and-dash routine: one person initially left under the pretext of having a cigarette, followed by the others about five minutes later, all walking past a waiter without settling the bill. The restaurant was busy at the time, which may have facilitated their escape.
Public Appeal and Response
In a bid to recover the outstanding amount and warn other businesses, Mr. Gurbuz posted CCTV footage of the group leaving on Facebook, along with a detailed message. He emphasized that while customer privacy is typically respected, the severity of the situation warranted public awareness to protect local establishments from similar incidents.
The post included a direct plea to the individuals, requesting they contact the restaurant to pay what they owe. Following the appeal, the group reportedly contacted Mr. Gurbuz and promised to return and settle the bill, but as of the latest updates, they have not yet appeared to do so.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by restaurants, particularly during peak periods like Valentine's Day, where dine-and-dash schemes can result in significant financial losses. Mr. Gurbuz's actions underscore the importance of vigilance and community support among business owners to deter such behavior.
The restaurant continues to await the group's return, hoping for a resolution to this unfortunate event that marred what should have been a celebratory day.
