Cape Town restaurants feel the pinch as no-shows persist in peak season

Despite the flurry of tourism in Cape Town over the festive period, several restaurants continue to deal with no-shows.

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) Cape's chairperson, Lee-Anne Singer, says this can result in substantial loss, particularly during the peak season.

“No-shows hit restaurants directly in their pockets. For small to medium restaurants, one [empty] table means that they are definitely losing money.”

She shares that deposits are becoming increasingly common in the industry, especially during peak times.

Deposits can be a reasonable and transparent way to manage bookings, as long as the terms and conditions are clearly communicated.

Singer highlights the importance of educating customers about the impact of no-shows on the industry, and the need for mutual respect between restaurants and customers.

“It really is the most sensible thing to do in terms of running a business effectively. We would hate for consumers to see it as being restrictive or authoritative, but it allows us to plan better.”

She adds, “Stock is bought on a daily basis, staff are brought in who are relying on an income.”

To listen to Singer in conversation with John Maytham (in for CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit), click the audio player below: