Award-winning Indian restaurant shares footage to ‘warn other businesses’ after customers allegedly flee without paying
An award-winning Greater Manchester restaurant has released CCTV footage after two families allegedly fled without paying a £190 bill, claiming the missing payment would have a “huge knock-on effect” on the business.
Sai Surbhi in Urmston, which has received numerous accolades at the Asian Restaurant Awards, shared the security footage after it “became clear” the customers would not be returning despite promising to pay their debt the following day.
The incident occurred last week when two families reportedly enjoyed a selection of curries, sides and children’s meals before leaving the premises without settling their bill.
Men ‘Tried Five Different Cards’
Restaurant owners Raman Kaur and Narinder Singh Athwa revealed that whilst women and children from the group left the establishment, two men remained behind attempting to make payment.
“They tried five different cards and called various people to transfer money,” the owners stated. The men eventually departed after claiming they had “no way of paying” but promised to clear the debt the following day.
When the promised payment failed to materialise, the restaurant initially made a public plea reminding the customers they still needed to settle their bill. However, as days passed without contact, the owners took the decision to release CCTV images.
In a social media post, the restaurant stated: “We have to do it as it’s become clear and obvious they are not paying and this is to warn other businesses in the area and beyond. Here are the CCTV stills of the people responsible for the ‘dine and dash’ of just under £200 last week.”
Community Rallies Behind Restaurant
The owners expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the local community following the incident. “We want to thank everyone for their support, everyone coming in to support us, kind phone calls & messages of local community spirit – Urmston and beyond you are amazing!” they posted.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Raman explained that the customers had made a booking for two adults and two children just 15 minutes before arriving. Although eight people turned up instead of four, the restaurant accommodated them as it was the start of service.
The impact of such incidents on small businesses cannot be understated, according to the owners. “We have to bear the brunt of it,” Raman said. “The more you speak to people, the more they have a similar story.”
Growing Problem for Hospitality Sector
The incident highlights a troubling trend affecting restaurants across the region. Raman revealed this was not an isolated incident for their business, stating: “It’s not the first time that’s happened to us, we’ve had one recently in Preston too, but you just don’t want the trouble either.”
She expressed frustration at what appears to be an increasing problem within the hospitality industry. “It doesn’t feel fair,” she said, noting that whilst the majority of customers arrive with honest intentions to pay for their meals, dine and dash incidents are becoming more frequent.
“The majority of people come in with the intention of having their meal and paying,” Raman explained, “but it’s happening more often to many restaurants.”
Financial Impact on Independent Businesses
The owners emphasised the severe financial consequences such incidents have on independent establishments. “As a local family-run business and an independent, times are REALLY tough at the minute,” they stated in their social media post.
They stressed that the loss of a £200 bill has “a HUGE knock on effect for our restaurant,” adding: “We can’t afford this occurrence once let alone a repeat performance.”
The restaurant’s decision to release CCTV footage represents a last resort after exhausting other options to recover the payment. The images have been shared widely across social media platforms as a warning to other businesses in Greater Manchester and beyond.
Award-Winning Establishment
Sai Surbhi has built a strong reputation in the Manchester dining scene, earning multiple accolades at the prestigious Asian Restaurant Awards. The restaurant is known for its authentic Indian cuisine and has become a popular destination for families in the Urmston area.
The incident has sparked discussions about the need for better protections for restaurants against dine and dash offences, with many calling for stricter penalties for those who deliberately leave without paying.
Local business owners have expressed solidarity with Sai Surbhi, with several sharing their own experiences of similar incidents. The restaurant industry, already struggling with rising costs and economic pressures, faces additional challenges when customers fail to pay their bills.
Police Involvement
Whilst the restaurant has not confirmed whether the incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police, dine and dash offences can be prosecuted as theft under the Theft Act 1968. Establishments are encouraged to report such incidents to authorities to help track patterns and potentially identify repeat offenders.
The hospitality sector continues to call for greater awareness of the impact these crimes have on small businesses, particularly family-run establishments operating on tight margins in challenging economic conditions.
The incident serves as a reminder to the public that such actions have real consequences for local businesses trying to serve their communities whilst maintaining financial viability.
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