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Pair tell restaurant £115 dine-and-dash was a 'misunderstanding'

Leigh BoobyerBBC Wales
News imageThe Custom House A man in a vest sat at a table with empty plates in front of him. He is drinking from a pint glass of coke. His face is blurred. On the other side of the table, a woman in grey leggings and a white sweatshirt is stood. Her face is also blurred. There are other restaurant tbales set with plates, cutlery and glasses around them.The Custom House
The customers were captured on CCTV enjoying seafood and drinks on 29 June

A pair of diners who left a restaurant without paying a £115 bill - which included a £52 Dover sole - have said it was a "misunderstanding", its owner has said.

Their meal at The Old Custom House in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, on 29 June also featured eight Cokes, calamari and a two-course set menu.

The restaurant shared an appeal asking them for payment after they allegedly left without settling up.

Tanny Martinez, owner of the restaurant, said the pair had now paid a week later and told him it was a "misunderstanding".

South Wales Police initially said it was investigating a report of theft, but added the restaurant did not want the case to be pursued now the bill had been paid.

News imageThe Custom House A black and white receipt with restaurant name "El Puerto" on the top and the restaurant's Penarth marina address. It is dated Monday 29 June at 20:19. The items are listed as followed: 8 Coke, £22, All day set menu £32, Calamares £9.50, Dover Sole, £52.10. Total = £115.60.The Custom House
The restaurant bill included a £52 Dover sole, eight Cokes and calamari

Speaking on behalf of the restaurant which has been part of the Penarth community for more than 20 years, Charley Backstedt-Calvert told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that staff members who worked the shift in question were "really quite upset".

"Yes there's an unpaid bill as part of this, but it's bigger than that," he said.

"The staff put themselves into every service and the effects are felt among the team."

News imageThe Custom House A woman in a white sweatshirt and leggings and a man in a black vest and black shorts walking into a building with red doors. Both of their faces are blurred.The Custom House
Police say the restaurant did not want to pursue the case now the bill has been paid

Backstedt-Calvert added dine-and-dash incidents had gotten "worse and worse" in recent years.

He said: "Five years ago, I don't want to say it was uncommon, but now across our restaurants it's probably once a month now, in the last year."

Restaurants have "really good success" in posting appeals for people who leave without paying on social media, he said.

"Rightly or wrongly so, we always choose to take this to social media first.

"Ultimately, the restaurant want the bill paid. The best resolution that can happen from this is having that bill paid.

"Putting it on social media you're going direct to the source, and there's a good chance people will come forward from that."

'Incredibly frustrating'

Martinez previously said: "The hospitality industry is already facing an incredibly challenging economic climate, with rising costs and pressures across the sector, without having to deal with situations like this," he said.

"It's incredibly frustrating when the hard work and dedication that goes into creating great experiences for our customers is not respected."

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