Vine & Fire, a restaurant that opened in Waterloo, Liverpool, just three months ago, has issued a heartfelt plea for customers to cancel unwanted reservations after 31 diners failed to turn up in a single day. The Mediterranean small plates venue, launched on March 7 by owner and chef Josh Stanton, took to Instagram to share the disappointing update.
Owner’s Background and Restaurant Launch
Josh Stanton brings over a decade of culinary experience to Vine & Fire, having worked in kitchens across the Liverpool area. Despite his expertise, he lacked formal business training and built the restaurant from scratch with his father. He previously told the Liverpool Echo that the initial response was "fantastic," with regulars returning within weeks.
The No-Show Problem
In a social media post, the restaurant revealed that on one day alone, 20 people from several large tables did not show up without notice. An update later confirmed the total had reached 31 by close of business. The statement read: "Just a gentle note to say it's really hard when people don't turn up for their booking without letting us know. Today alone, we had a few big tables that never showed up - adding up to 20 people in total." The restaurant added: "This is really disappointing. For a small business like ours, every booking matters so much. Empty seats hit us harder than you might realised."
Community Support and New Booking System
The post garnered widespread support from other independent businesses in the region, many of whom shared similar experiences. Customers praised Vine & Fire’s hospitality, menu, and service, while expressing sympathy. In response, the restaurant announced plans to implement a new booking system in the coming days to mitigate future no-shows. Vine & Fire thanked patrons who honour reservations or notify them of changes, stating: "It means the world to us."
Restaurant Concept and Future Outlook
Vine & Fire specialises in Mediterranean small plates, slightly more generous than traditional tapas. Shortly after opening, Josh told the Echo: "Me and my dad built everything in the restaurant and we opened the first week of March. It's been fantastic. We've been very busy. I did not expect to be where [I am] now six weeks in." The restaurant is located on St Johns Road in Waterloo and continues to serve its growing clientele despite the setback.
