People that book tables in bars and restaurants and fail to show up are putting jobs at risk, according to a Dublin restaurant owner.

Restaurants are now into their third week of trading since Phase Three of reopening was announced – and coronavirus restrictions have made bookings more important than ever.

On Moncrieff this afternoon, Gina Murphy, the owner of Hugo’s Restaurant on Merrion Row in Dublin City Centre said ‘no-shows’ are a growing problem around the city.

“It is really disappointing because this new reality that we are working in and the conditions we are working under are very difficult for any small business – whether it is a restaurant or a coffee shop or a bar,” she said.

Jobs

She said the restrictions mean restaurants have to book people in to “really, really tight” schedules.

“I have come back with like 12 out of my 26 staff,” she said. “Every seat right now is precious because we have got reduced capacity because of social distancing.

“Therefor, we are only ordering the food that we need, so when somebody books a table that they don’t turn up for, A) they are costing the business because we are losing potential revenue which is vital right now and B) they are costing us on a different level because we have staffed up to cater for them.

“They are putting people’s jobs at risk which is very mean-spirited on a normal day but right now, when everybody is to the pin of their collar, it is really shocking and it is not a nice trait.”

Deposit

She said Hugo’s has introduced a deposit system to combat the problem.

The system takes a credit card number form the person making the booking and charges €20 per person for no-shows.

It can also charge for late cancellations and significant changes in the number of people coming in.

She said the system is a last resort and the restaurant makes the final decision on whether to charge someone.

“Now, thank god, we haven’t had that dilemma because, since we put in this system, we have not had one no-show and we have not had somebody cancel without ample notice.

“When people’s money is on the line, they remember so it is definitely a deterrent.”

Hugo's had to temporarily lay-off 22 of its 26 staff when the outbreak first hit and Ms Murphy said the system is only in place to “remind people just to be considerate.”

“We are all trying to get people back to work and keep businesses afloat and just be fair lads. A bit of consideration you know?”