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The Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) has said the absences continue to “destroy the soul” of the hotel industry.
The industry body said a Dublin city center restaurant had 18 people who booked and confirmed a table yesterday, only to never arrive.
Friday saw the return of domestic stocks after companies restricted themselves to takeout service and before that cookout.
The easing of the new Covid-19 restrictions to allow the hospitality sector to operate during the holiday period was introduced this week as part of the government’s adjusted Level 3 plan for Christmas.
RAI CEO Adrian Cummins said restaurant owners cannot afford to keep tables empty after struggling for so long with the impact of Covid-19.
“Diners book restaurants and don’t show up, which is devastating for these companies that are financially depressed right now trying to save their businesses.
“Every customer who books a seat that doesn’t show up effectively loses revenue and money is lost from that business at a time when they need all the customers they can get to keep their business afloat,” said Cummins.
In a sign of the pressure the industry is under, a Cork restaurant yesterday posted an appeal on social media for available reservations after two reservations were canceled for tonight.
I’d really appreciate sharing. Devastated, 2 tables of six canceled for tomorrow night. So we have availability at 8.30 for 6 and 8.45 for 6. Thank you 🙏
– Dockland (@docklandcork) December 4, 2020
Dockland, led by restaurateur Beth Haughton, said that two tables for six had been canceled last night and the effect of this was “devastating.”
We now have both tables reserved. The power of Twitter and kindness. Thank you very much 😊 #thanks
– Dockland (@docklandcork) December 5, 2020
Happily though the appeal was successful for the restaurant and both tables were full.
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