A restaurant in Worcestershire has released CCTV images of six people it claims deliberately left without paying a £400 bill after complaining that the lobster in their shellfish platter tasted 'earthy'. The incident occurred at Aegean Breeze Seafood and Steak House on Friary Walk in Worcester around 5pm on Saturday, June 27.
Alleged Dine-and-Dash Incident
Paul Faulkner, the restaurant's operations director, told the BBC that some members of the group became 'quite hostile at the till' before allegedly walking out without payment. Staff had offered discounts on the bill after the group complained about the lobster, but the diners reportedly declined the offer.
The restaurant shared the CCTV stills on social media, stating that the six diners 'deliberately left without paying for their food and drinks'. The post also apologised to other customers who witnessed the incident: 'We understand it may have been upsetting to see. We want to reassure everyone that, as far as we are aware, this incident had nothing to do with the quality of our food or our service, but was simply the result of the actions of these individuals.'
Restaurant's Response
Faulkner noted that the restaurant, which opened nearly a year ago and is known for its steaks, seafood, and pizza, had never previously experienced a dine-and-dash incident. He added that the individuals are no longer welcome at the establishment.
Police Investigation
West Mercia Police confirmed they were called to the scene. A spokesperson said: 'We received a call around 17:15 BST on Saturday with a report of people making off without payment from a restaurant on Friary Walk in Worcester. An investigation is ongoing.'
The restaurant's management stressed that the incident was isolated and not reflective of their service or food quality. They have reported the matter to the police, who are now handling the case.
