Cover Charge

iabw12

Maybe I'm being picky, but I was in a restaurant recently and we were charged a "cover charge" of one pound per head. I'd like to know what this is for, and is it compulsory to pay it?
many thanks

martinbsp

If they state on their menu etc that they have a cover charge of £1 per head then it is reasonable that you pay it (unless they say its optional), whether you agree with it or not. If you didn't want to pay it you shouldn't eat there. The cover charge is just another income stream.

monyman

I had an experience with this is Leicester Square last year.

Called the manager over and he was very apologetic and said owner had started it up and staff didn't like it.

Owner said that it was there to pay for breakages etc - we refused to pay it (dinner bill was over £100 for three people wasn't going to pay an extra £3).

Staff were very kind and said it was completely optional - not sure where you stand legally but I think it's a shocking liberty.

paddyrg

It's quite common in some countries, it's good for keeping away !!!!!!!!!!s who want to sit all day and drink tapwater.

A good compromise is for the cover charge to be a few quid, but to include a breadbasket, for instance.

googler

I think if they're going to levy a cover charge, that should be displayed clearly from the street, not apparent once you've entered, sat down, and are studying the menu...

marcowil

googler wrote: »

I think if they're going to levy a cover charge, that should be displayed clearly from the street, not apparent once you've entered, sat down, and are studying the menu...

If you are only looking at the menu (i.e. havent placed an order) surely you are free to leave if you find there is a cover charge.

I've been in restaurants before that had no menu outside and when I sat down and looked at the menu, I didnt like it so just let the staff know I was leaving

Oakdene

Having worked in a few restuarants & managed a couple most places have a 'discretionary service/cover charge' which can be removed from your bill if you ask.

In the majority of places I have worked in the charge has been applicable to group tables where there have been 8 or more people dining. In these cases the charge has normally gone back to the waiters & bar staff as tips.

spudsofa

We have a £1 cover charge in place since early last year. We don't have service charge so a lot of the time, we get a big fat 0 pence. We get on average 2% to 3% service. The customers do a get a free snack upon sitting down, with one free refill.

When the restaurant has been busy but not the tips, we get a bonus from the cover charge.

When the customer has been a PITA and we bend over backwards to accommodate them, to which we are rewarded £1 or less for the whole party, that to me is a smack in the face. Overstaying the closing time by 1 or 2 hours and leaving nothing and expecting top class service !

For me....a 5% service charge should be compulsory, not the silly 15% most London restaurant charges.

W

googler

marcowil wrote: »

If you are only looking at the menu (i.e. havent placed an order) surely you are free to leave if you find there is a cover charge.

I don't want to enter the restaurant, take my coat off, settle down, and generally waste my time only to find the cover charge buried in the small print on the menu.... I want to know about the cover charge before I enter.

googler

spudsofa wrote: »

We have a £1 cover charge in place since early last year. We don't have service charge so a lot of the time, we get a big fat 0 pence. We get on average 2% to 3% service. The customers do a get a free snack upon sitting down, with one free refill.

When the restaurant has been busy but not the tips, we get a bonus from the cover charge.

When the customer has been a PITA and we bend over backwards to accommodate them, to which we are rewarded £1 or less for the whole party, that to me is a smack in the face. Overstaying the closing time by 1 or 2 hours and leaving nothing and expecting top class service !

For me....a 5% service charge should be compulsory, not the silly 15% most London restaurant charges.

W

Sounds like you need to revise your policy on free snacks and refills, and also be firmer about your closing time. If the restaurant closes, why are your customers still there 2 hours later?

Why should I pay a 5% service charge when a restaurant is already charging a hefty mark-up on every product they sell? What's the mark-up for, if not to cover the costs of serving the public?

McKneff

I would always ask for a service charge tobe deducted and then leave exactly the same in cash on the table if Ive had good service.

Then it goes to the person (s) I have had good service from.

Either that or eat elsewhere.