Londoner slams ‘booking culture’ making it ‘impossible’ to go out for dinner
A Londoner has slammed the city’s “booking culture” saying it makes it “impossible” to go out for dinner. The person posted to Reddit claiming that they can’t “go out easily on a whim anymore” and said it seems “that walk-ins are now a rarity anywhere”. The post continued: “It seems businesses just don’t want to reserve any tickets/slots/tables for anyone who hasn’t found them online a week prior.
Of course this is to be expected with restaurants but it’s expanded to bars, nightclubs and, more recently, events like the world cup or ice-skating. Everywhere is enforcing online bookings only. “Of course some explanation can be on the many unfortunate hospitality businesses that had to close over lockdown but we’re well over a year on and the ‘booking culture’ is still growing,” the post added.
Other Reddit users were quick to take to the comments with their thoughts. READ MORE: Sainsbury’s undercut by Aldi to stop it being cheapest for fresh turkeys
Some establishments in the capital rely on customers making reservations in a time of economic turbulence (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)
“I think part of the issue is hospitality staffing levels. A pub my friend works in says they often have to turn away walk ins for their dining room.
Whilst the dining room might not be full on every table, there just isn’t enough staff to cover walk ins as well as the bookings,” one said. “Tried to go for a pint in my local the other day and the entire place was booked. Understandable during the pandemic, and it makes sense for restaurants, but not being able to drop in for a pint is pretty antithetical to pub culture,” a second wrote.
“Yes! No spontaneity anymore. Not just that, have to book months in advance!!,” a third added.
But others said they thought “it made sense”. One said: “I guess it makes sense, helps businesses plan better for staffing/food volumes. It’s been a tough few years for the industry and I understand why they need this certainty.”
And another said the phenomenon “is not a recent thing”. While a third said they “like booking”, adding: “Nothing worse than having to make a bunch of backup plans because you don’t know if you’ll be able to get in somewhere.” In October, one of London’s only Nigerian tapas restaurants launched a six-week campaign to get 600 bookings to keep their doors open in the new year.
Chuku’s in Tottenham opened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but lockdowns, the cost of living crisis and rising bills meant the eatery was on the brink of closure. They surpassed the goal, achieving 801 booking over the six weeks, ensuring they can keep their doors open into 2023. Some establishments in the capital rely on customers making reservations in a time of economic turbulence.
Another venue, formerly called Epic Pies in the City of London, was forced to close last December after 200 bookings were cancelled in the space of a week. The pie shop lost trade over the festive period, when the Government called for people to stay at home as Omicron cases surged. But, the mum and son duo, who owned the restaurant, turned its fortunes around, tearing up the menu and launching The Wardrobe and Kitchen in March after the building lay empty for three months.
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