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Three Diners in St Ives Pay Up After Leaving Without Settling Bill at Beer & Bird
Police were called to intervene after an incident at Beer & Bird, a family-owned restaurant in St Ives, where three men left without paying their bill on Friday evening. The diners consumed drinks, burgers, and chicken wings, totalling £68, before slipping out through a side door.
Manager Hannah Hunt reacted promptly when staff realised the bill had not been settled. Despite her attempts to pursue them, the diners left before she could reach them. However, with assistance from the local community and some online investigation, the men were identified and subsequently agreed to pay their bill. They even contributed an additional £32, bringing their total payment to £100.
In a community spirit gesture, Beer & Bird plans to donate the original bill amount to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Hannah Hunt noted that the incident highlights the challenges faced by small independent businesses in the hospitality sector and the strong community ties in St Ives.
Hunt expressed her desire to give the diners a chance to rectify the situation, stating, “I didn’t want them to feel they could get away with it. I just wanted them to pay their bill. The bill might not seem like a lot of money but it is for small businesses.” She added that, in her two years at Beer & Bird, this was the first instance of such an incident occurring.
After sharing a post on social media to encourage the diners to come forward, she managed to contact them over the phone. Comments in response to her post showed overwhelming support from the community, although some suggested that the restaurant consider taking payment before meals to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Hunt concluded that they would not change their current practice, valuing the service they provide to the community.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by small businesses and the importance of community support in addressing such issues.
