News

Independent Manchester restaurant hit outs at 30 Valentine’s Day no-shows

This is so gutting for a small restaurant.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th February 2024

An independent restaurant in Manchester has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine’s Day reservations.

Suki Suki, a small pan-Asian spot on Deansgate (which happens to be one of The Manc’s favourite lunch spots) said that no-shows are ‘extremely unfair’ on staff.

The restaurant posted halfway through Valentine’s Day service that they had already had 30 people fail to turn up for their bookings.

In an open letter to customers, they said that ‘moments like this are extremely crippling’, stressing the impact it has on staff tips, business revenue, and even wastage.

Suki Suki also said that their staff had sacrificed their day to prep for what is historically one of the busiest nights of the year for the hospitality industry.

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They pleaded for people to be ‘respectful’ and to reach out to restaurants if they can no longer make their reserved table so that other people can take them.

Suki Suki’s full statement said: “Tonight’s been pretty disappointing with over 30 no-shows on Valentine’s Day and it’s not even the end of the evening.

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“It’s extremely unfair on all hospitality staff that have sacrificed their day to prep and provide a service for a supposed busy night ahead to be presented with empty tables.

Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine's Day reservations.
Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine’s Day reservations.
Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine's Day reservations.
Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine’s Day reservations.

“This leaves staff with the loss of tips that a lot depend on, as well creating a lot of food wastage for the restaurant trade.

“Moments like this are extremely crippling for small independent businesses.

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“Please be respectful and let your restaurant know you’re unable to come down with enough notice as it also allows others to replace those empty tables.

“Thanks”

It echoes a similar disgraceful incident from Christmas, when Khandoker in Didsbury hit out at customers who didn’t turn up on Christmas Day, of all days.

The problem has been so bad in recent years that back in 2020 a nationwide campaign – No More No Shows – was launched.

If you want to help Suki Suki get back on its feet after such a disappointing Valentine’s Day, you can book a table or order a takeaway here.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

Read more:

“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

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