A GROUP OF SIX who gorged on lobster and drinks have left a restaurant nearly £400 out of pocket after shouting and screaming their way out of the bill.
Staff at Aegean Breeze Seafood & Steak House are in shock after a group of customers became aggressive and barged their way through staff when asked to pay the bill leaving one member of staff bruised.
The group had complained that the lobster on the £79 lobster platter tasted earthy.
Staff agreed to remove the dish from the bill, but the group refused to pay any and left.
The total bill came to £396, £82 of which was drinks, but staff believe the group came into the restaurant with no intention of paying.
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Paul Faulkner, one of the owners of Aegean Breeze Seafood & Steak House, said: “It was a party of six.
“Two of them had been in the week before, and we had no problems.
“They came at around 3pm on Saturday (June 27), and left at about 5pm.
“They complained that the lobster on the lobster platter tasted earthy.
“We said, it costs £79, we will take off £35, the lobster element. They said no, we are not paying, we even offered to take the full £79 off, but they walked out.
“It’s a real shame. No hospitality business should have to go through this.
“We do not want to be in a position where we have to take pre-payment, we are not that kind of business.
“I fully believe they had no intention of paying the bill.
“As they were walking out, everyone was saying what’s going on, and some of the group were very aggressive, shouting and swearing.
“They were deliberately creating a scene so they could leave.
“It is the first time anyone has dine-and-dashed since we opened on August 18, so nine months ago. Hospitality is tough, so this is a kick in the teeth.”
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Mr Faulkner said one member of staff was badly bruised after the group pushed their way past them.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: “We received a call around 5.15pm on Saturday (27 June) with a report of people making off without payment from a restaurant on Friary Walk in Worcester.
“An investigation is on-going.”
Images of the group have been shared on social media by the restaurant, hoping to spread awareness. Due to legal reasons, The Worcester News has blurred the images.
