'Can't afford this': Indian restaurant faces Rs 23,000 loss after local families leave without paying bill

The couple highlighted the impact that the loss of 200 GBP had on their independent business.

A meal at a Greater Manchester restaurant ended in financial loss for its owners when a group of families left without paying their bill of more than 200 GBP.

The incident occurred at Sai Surbhi, a restaurant run by Raman Kaur and Narinder Singh Athwa. The couple later described what happened in a detailed post on social media, sharing an image of the unpaid receipt, which showed the amount to be 200 GBP, equivalent to around Rs 23,800 (approximately).

According to the account, the group consisted of two families — four adults and four children — who visited the restaurant on Saturday night. They said the diners were well-behaved throughout the meal, with the exception of “the normal ruckus that infants can cause wanting to run around.” The owners added: “Apart from that, we had no trouble from any of them. They praised the food, service, the decor, everything.”

The difficulties arose once the bill was presented. The families attempted to use several different cards and even contacted other people in an effort to arrange a transfer, but the restaurant said no payment was made. “We hate to do this but it’s our only option at this point… Unfortunately, on Saturday night we had a table of 2 families, who after eating, drinking & enjoying themselves tried 5 different cards, calling various people to transfer money paid 0 off a 200 GBP bill!!” the couple wrote.

The situation escalated when two of the men admitted they had no way to pay. “The only issue came at the end when the families scarpered and the 2 men said sorry we have no way of paying. When I requested ID they couldn’t produce any either. No cash, nothing,” the owners said.

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Before leaving, the diners provided a name and phone number, apologised, and assured that they would make the payment the following day after receiving their wages. They also authorised the restaurant to share CCTV images if the money was not forthcoming. “A name & number was left with an apology & the promise to pay today after they were paid, and a promise that if they didn’t pay we could release CCTV images of them across socials,” the post explained.

The couple highlighted the impact that the loss of 200 GBP had on their independent business. “As a local family-run business and independent, times are REALLY tough at the minute and them not paying a 200 pound bill has a HUGE knock on effect for our restaurant we can’t afford this occurrence once let alone a repeat performance. That 200 pounds bill would pay staff, or pay our bills, or for stock,” they wrote.

The post attracted a wave of responses online. Many users urged the owners to release the CCTV or report the matter to the authorities. One person suggested: “Just thinking, when many of us go on holiday, the hotel asks for a credit card upfront, maybe worth you doing the same.” Another said: “Release the footage so we know what the thieves look like.”

Others expressed sympathy for the restaurant. “You need to report it to the police. Whether or not they’ll bother doing anything is another matter, unfortunately. I’m so sorry this has happened. Such an amazing restaurant & staff. I hope something can be done,” one user commented. Another added: “This is absolutely awful! No business should experience something like this at all. Definitely release the CCTV, they could be targeting other businesses.”

Meanwhile, only a few weeks earlier, diners at Saffron, an Indian restaurant in Northampton, were reported to have eaten their meals and then departed without paying.