A man is urging people to stop 'no shows' after a restaurant was left with "no choice" but to change their booking rules when eight groups failed to show up.
Peter Rogan runs a number of Facebook groups in and around Merseyside, they include Eating out Merseyside recommendations and Wirral Takeaway and Restaurant Recommendations.
They look to support local restaurants, cafes and takeaways by asking people to recommend their favourites and between them, they have over 90,000 members.
He said 'no shows' have a real knock-on effect to businesses at the best of times, but could prove devastating now following the difficult year the catering industry has had.
He told The ECHO: "I just feel it is the least you can do to just phone up and tell a restaurant you can't make it.
"Especially now, especially after the year they have had."
Asked about the prospect of restaurants requiring deposits, Peter said he felt it was a good way for businesses to protect against losses and that most people won't mind.
The 55-year-old said: "We ran a poll in one of our Facebook groups last year asking people if they would be prepared to pay a deposit and 408 said 'yes', while just four said 'no'.
"I don't see a problem with it at all, if you are a genuine customer who is intending to show up then it isn't a problem, it is going to be taken off you bill anyway.
"I have had to pay a £20 deposit myself to go out on Thursday and I have no issue with it.
"If there is a genuine emergency and you can't make it, then I am sure the restaurant can negotiate to get your deposit back, but it has to be within reasonable times, such as at least 12 or even eight hours before the booking."
Peter, from Moreton, added: "I just want people to know how damaging it could be, when you could just make that phone call to cancel."
It comes after the Trappist House in Hoylake, Wirral, took to social media last week to inform their customers they would now be taking deposits for bookings due to the "no shows".
They told people they can't sustain themselves if more bookings failed to appear, posting on their Facebook page, they said: "Update!
"We have been open for less than two days and already we have had around eight groups not turning up for their booking.
"Sorry, we didn't want to implement deposits but we just have no choice now.
"We have knocked back a hell of a lot of people both over the phone and via email and we have been lumbered with tables going empty, we can't sustain it moving forward.
"We are pretty much fully booked the next two weekends and can't afford to have any more no shows. We only have seven tables.
"We will be contacting all bookings of four or more the next couple of days to call us with £5 deposit per person, if you can give us a bell yourselves on 0151 633 2518 after reading this then it would be a big help.
"Any bookings from now on will have to pay it over the phone after booking a table, tables won't be confirmed until deposits are paid.
"Sorry about this but we have no choice. Thanks TH"
Many people on the Trappist's Facebook post agreed with Peter, one said: "Manners cost nothing. If you're unable to go for whatever reason, be a decent person and let them know so they can give that table to a walk-in or someone else who's been unable to book.
"Same applies with all appointments. Don't be a t**t! I fully support deposit schemes and hope all the independents go from strength to strength in these difficult times."
Another said: "I’m reading so many posts from different restaurants saying this is happening to them. It’s an absolute disgrace. Wholeheartedly agree with you taking a deposit, but I’d definitely make it £10 per person, you need to cover your minimum costs for no-shows."
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