A pub in East Retford was left in disarray after a group of diners allegedly consumed tomahawk steaks, cocktails, and vodka before fleeing without paying their £330 bill. The owner of the White Horse Inn on Barnby Moor described the scene as looking 'like a pack of bears had been in'.
The group, consisting of four adults and several children, arrived at around 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 8. They reportedly left at about 9pm without settling their bill. The pub owner, who has worked in the industry for a decade, said he had never witnessed such behaviour. Children were running around the restaurant, knocking over bowls of food, and staff were intimidated by the adults' passive-aggressive conduct.
A spokesperson for the venue said the incident could not have come at a worse time, as the business is still recovering from the Covid lockdown. The owner noted that wholesale beer prices have increased nearly 15p a pint this year, adding to financial pressures. However, he expressed greater concern for the well-being of his staff, one of whom was left upset and blaming himself after being intimidated by the group.
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed they are pursuing lines of enquiry and have asked anyone with information to come forward. Inspector Hayley Crawford said the force is investigating the report of a group who ate and left without paying.
