The group of four had enjoyed drinks at The Lounge @ 15 in Cornwall but left without paying, with the owner then taking their images from CCTV and plastering them on social media
The furious owner of a café tracked down and confronted customers who dined and dashed on their bar tab.
The group of four had visited The Lounge @ 15 in Bude, Cornwall, on Saturday and racked up a fairly small bill of around £20. However, when it came to pay the foursome left without paying. Furious, several members of staff chased after them but they were unable to catch up.
Owner James Cocks, 42, later took their images from CCTV and put them on social media which quickly managed to find the people responsible at a nearby campsite. Shamefaced, they soon returned and handed over the money.
Mr Cocks told Cornwall Live: “We had a customer that came in and they were sat at one of our tables where some of our staff were serving them
“When they had all their drinks two people left and then another two people left a little later and I got it on camera. Literally two minutes later the staff ran after them and basically they went home blatantly without paying but I knew the exact time so went through CCTV and put it out on social media last night.
“Then one of my friends saw my post and said they were staying at the campsite where he was working and the customers came in today and paid [the bill].”
“It’s not the money, it’s the principle. Luckily we got the money back but it still puts a damper on things.
“Separate to that, we’ve had another really nasty incident today with some customers who have been rude and we’ve actually had to ask them to leave. They were literally throwing food all over the floor and there was just no respect for anything.”
Yesterday it was reported two men allegedly fled an Indian restaurant without paying their £63 bill after one went outside “for a smoke”.
Arvelli restaurant in Darlington is appealing for help from the public to find the pair of diners who ate at the Indian eatery this week. The restaurant has shared footage of the two men on their Facebook page and asked for anyone with information as to their identities to come forward.
Staff said the incident took place at around 11.10pm on Wednesday. On Thursday, the restaurant posted a statement on Facebook where it said that one of the men first left for a “smoke” and then the other “dressed in a tracksuit followed saying they will be back after speaking to their friend”.
