18/09/2026
# Shame on Sharon …..
A difficult reminder about restaurant bookings…
Tonight we had a booking for 9 people at our very small café.
Unfortunately, the entire party simply didn’t turn up — and there was no cancellation.
For a small independent establishment, a booking of this size has a much bigger impact than people may realise. We prepared for the table, allocated staff and, importantly, turned other customers away because we were holding the table.
Those customers could have filled the seats that were ultimately left empty.
We completely understand that plans can change and that genuine emergencies happen. But if you make a booking and can no longer attend, please let us know. Even a quick phone call gives a small business the opportunity to offer the table to someone else.
A 9-person no-show isn't simply an empty table. For a small café, it can represent a significant amount of lost income — including the customers we had to turn away.
Please think about the small businesses behind the tables you book. ❤️
If you can't make your reservation, please cancel it. It costs nothing to be considerate, but it can make a huge difference to a small business.
