Popular Italian restaurant Gusto has been hit with an ‘unbelievably painful’ spate of no-shows, reporting more than 1,000 missed bookings in just one week – with some blaming it on a new phenomenon called ‘HOGO’.
The group, which has restaurants in both Didsbury and the city centre, told The Times that it’s equated to around £30,000 of lost revenue.
The problem of restaurant no-shows is devastating for restaurants at what should be their busiest period.
The hospitality sector has lost an estimated £17.6bn to the problem since reopening after lockdowns, with roughly one in seven diners not turning up for a booking – and it now seems to be getting worse.
Matt Snell, chief executive of the Italian restaurant group Gusto, reported more than 1,000 unattended bookings across its sites this week alone.
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Calling the loss ‘unbelievably painful’, he added: “My view is that it’s laziness or rudeness.”
Gusto in Manchester city centre. Credit: Facebook (Gusto Manchester)
“I don’t mind cancellations, I’m happy to get them because at least we have an opportunity to replace that booking even if it’s last minute. It is the no-shows that cost us money.”
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The sudden spike in no-shows has left some people to wonder, why, at the busiest time of the year for hospitality, restaurants are suddenly finding themselves with empty seats?
The phenomenon of ‘HOGO’ (hassle of going out) has been floated in the press this week – something that I’d like to quash immediately.
If it’s an acronym and it’s not in the Urban Dictionary, I’m not recognising it (I checked, and it’s not in there).
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“Gretchen, stop trying to make HOGO happen – it’s not going to happen.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, toldThe Times she doesn’t think it’s being caused by a fear of going out, nor a repeat of people booking multiple venues at once because they weren’t sure they would get a table.
Rather, she said: “I think it is people changing their minds, changing their intentions and forgetting to cancel and not realising the impact that it has on businesses.”
Events organisers have also reported a rise in people not attending, despite paying in advance for tickets.
Manchester night tzar and WHP founder Sacha Lord has weighed in, asking for people to “please be courteous.”
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He tweeted: “What sort of person can’t pick up the phone to cancel?
“A restaurant staffs/buys produce and gears up on the back of bookings Makes the deposit idea stronger. Please be courteous”
In the summer of 2020, the hospitality industry united behind a #nomorenoshows campaign to remind people of all the reasons why it’s a terrible idea to make a booking and then simply not bother to show up.
Perhaps it’s time for that to happen again.
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Simply put, if you can’t make your reservation – let the restaurant know. It’s just common courtesy. It stops them from losing money. It helps managers staff their restaurants properly.
Come on guys, we’ve already been through this.
Featured image – Gusto
News
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Two more people arrested as investigation into Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire continues
Emily Sergeant
Two more people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the devastating moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.
Yesterday (16 July 2026), a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been bailed pending further police enquiries, before a man in his 20s has today (17 July) been arrested on suspicion of arson, and remains in custody for questioning.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this past Tuesday (14 July).
After the blaze broke out this past Saturday evening (11 July) at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
With three major arrests having already now been made, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“This investigation has been progressing at pace, we are nearly a week on and the fire at Dovestones is still ongoing, and it has had devastating effects it has had on the Reservoir,” commented Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of GMP’s Oldham division said.
“As this incident continues, officers would like to thank all emergency service partners for their support and dedication.
“In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, whose firefighters have spent countless hours tackling the fire in demanding conditions.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th November 2021 
