A group of seven diners racked up a hefty bill just shy of £500 at Stubbs Restaurant in Ashford, Kent, on Sunday before doing a runner and leaving the restaurant in question out of pocket.
The restaurant took to social media to post a photo of the diners and their receipt. The bill showed the group tucked into a selection of luxurious dishes, including three lobster, crab and shrimp cocktails (£59.85), two servings of half a dozen oysters (£32), one entrecote steak (£28), three half lobster thermidor (£144) and one large lobster thermidor (£76).
An extensive drinks order also featured on the bill, including three pints and a couple of glasses of wine. The bill totalled £489.90.
The images were posted alongside the caption: ‘Please come back and pay your bill! We are a private restaurant and will not survive with you doing this to us. You ate all of your meal and we gave you fabulous service… yet you drove off, as fast as you could, without paying.'
The post has received a flurry of comments, with many condemning the diners for their behaviour. There were also a few comments that suggested the restaurant should start asking for deposits from large groups, with one user stating: ‘I am sorry this has happened. Hope they will settle the bill! Maybe you should consider taking a deposit in the future to have some guaranteed money.’
While another said: ‘Whilst I sympathise with Stubbs this has now happened on numerous occasions. Take a credit card at point of order and a deposit of £50 per person.’
Apparently, a similar incident happened at the restaurant earlier this year. Stubbs posted a photo of two young men on 4 May with the caption: 'Please come back and pay your bill', so this is not the first time a group has dined and dashed at the restaurant.
Stubbs is a small, independent restaurant and bistro in Ashford serving steak, seafood and seasonal dishes in an informal setting. It also boasts a Champagne and oyster bar, as well as a more casual pub area serving wines, cocktails and local ales.
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