Vine & Fire, a new restaurant on St Johns Road in Waterloo, has reported that 31 customers failed to turn up for their bookings on a single day, June 21. Owner and chef Josh Stanton described the situation as 'really hard' for a small business.
Owner's plea for notice
In an Instagram post, the restaurant asked guests to inform the venue if plans change. 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.' It added that by the end of the day, a total of 31 people had not arrived for their reservations.
Impact on small business
Josh Stanton, who opened Vine & Fire on March 7 after over a decade in regional kitchens, said: 'For a small business like ours, every booking matters so much. Empty seats hit us harder than you might realise.' The post received widespread support from other independent businesses and customers, who praised the restaurant's hospitality and menu.
New booking system
In response to the no-shows, Vine & Fire is introducing a new booking system in the coming days. The restaurant offers Mediterranean small plates inspired by European cuisine, with Stanton noting: 'I can do anything in Europe food-wise.'
Early success
Shortly after opening, Stanton 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.' He added: 'It's one of the best streets on Earth. I've got regulars coming back to me and I've only been open six weeks.'
