Unpaid restaurant bill settled following social media attention and police inquiry

The owner of a Lincolnshire restaurant has confirmed that a group of customers who departed without settling their £306 food and drink bill has since paid it. Flavio Serra, proprietor of Tinels Seafood & Grill in Grantham, stated that the patrons consumed steaks and alcoholic beverages prior to their departure on Friday without payment. Mr. Serra’s account, shared on social media, and a subsequent investigation by Lincolnshire Police, prompted the individuals involved in the “dine and dash” incident to settle their outstanding amount. He informed the BBC, stating: “I’m happy with the result. I would like to see them named and shamed, however, I think everybody deserves a second chance and hopefully they will not do it again.” Mr. Serra, originally from Portugal, mentioned that the group had made a prior reservation by phone and had pre-ordered certain dishes. He acknowledged that the group had expressed dissatisfaction with one dish, but an offered replacement was declined. Subsequently that evening, a waitress notified Mr. Serra that the group had departed without settling the £306 bill, though they had left a tip. “I spent almost an hour cooking, preparing, marinating all the steaks they had, all the starters they had, all the food they ate,” he remarked. He continued: “I had to pay for the product, I have to pay for the staff. And they just walk out? It’s disrespectful.” “It’s not nice at all, especially for a small business like we are. Every penny counts,” he added. Mr. Serra stated he attempted to reach the group using a phone number provided during the booking process, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Lincolnshire Police subsequently initiated an investigation and issued an appeal for witnesses. Mr. Serra informed the BBC that he did not receive an apology from the group and surmises their payment was prompted by public anger online and police involvement. He indicated his intention to “think of ways” to prevent similar incidents in the future, such as reinstating deposits. He further stated: “I’m also a consumer. I like to feel that I’m trusted so I put the same trust to all of my customers.” “I did lose a little bit of trust. I know that because of one bad apple, doesn’t mean that everybody is a bad apple,” he concluded.