A Lancashire restaurant was left with 30 empty tables during the first weekend of the new tougher coronavirus restrictions.
The team from The Fat Italian in Ormskirk has revealed that over the weekend 30 customers failed to show up despite reserving tables.
In a post shared to its Facebook page, its team said the restaurant was already having to rely on a "reduced amount of customers" to keep the site open due to current restrictions.
Its team is now asking anyone who can no longer make a booking to call the restaurant and let them know.
Its post said: "Hey everyone. Due to the current social distancing restrictions our restaurant capacity has been significantly reduced and we now rely on the reduced amount of customers we are able to serve to keep our restaurant open.
"Over the weekend so far we have had over 30 booked in customers not turn up which leaves our few tables we have empty. If you can no longer attend your booking we ask for you to please call the restaurant to inform us."
Lancashire was placed into Tier 3 on midnight on Friday following the Liverpool City Region, although gyms are still open.
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This means pubs and bars across Lancashire are closed unless they serve a "substantial meal". Restaurants are allowed to stay open but customers must only dine with members of the same household.
Restaurants have a 10pm curfew too.
The Fat Italian has a restaurant in Burscough which is still open, but their Crosby branch is temporarily closed.
Should restaurants take deposits off customers when they book a table? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Commenting underneath The Fat Italian's post, one user said: "Some people have no respect. You're trying to stay open and they do this - disgusting. Think deposits are necessary at this time. Good luck - love your restaurant"
Another added: "That’s awful, no excuse for people like that. Take a deposit - those who value you as a restaurant won’t hesitate to pay it."
And a third said: "Awful - especially at the moment. Charge deposits, I was more than happy to pay when I made reservations".
