A family in Kent made headlines recently when they dined at Jumeira Indian Restaurant in Staplehurst and then refused to pay their £300 bill. The incident occurred two weeks ago when the group of four adults and four children finished their main dishes and expressed satisfaction when the waiters checked in. However, things took a turn when, despite ordering more food to take away, the family claimed they were not happy with the meal and service. This led them to refuse to settle the bill, leaving only £30 in cash before quickly leaving the restaurant.
Faheem Ahmed, the manager of the restaurant, was disappointed by the family’s actions and expressed frustration at the situation. Despite receiving positive feedback about the food throughout the evening, the family suddenly changed their tune and became aggressive towards the staff. Faheem believes the family took advantage of the absence of managers on-site to attempt to leave without paying. The incident was reported to Kent Police as a case of ‘dine and dash’, but it was considered a civil matter.
Faheem shared his disappointment on social media, posting CCTV images of the family and their actions. The response from the public was overwhelmingly in support of the restaurant, condemning the family’s behaviour. Faheem emphasised that while the financial loss was significant, it was more about the principle and raising awareness about such incidents occurring at restaurants. He stated that the restaurant has been receiving apologies and support from customers and the local community.
Jumeira Indian Restaurant, a well-established eatery in the area, recently won an award at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA). Despite the incident, Faheem remains focused on delivering exceptional food and service to customers. He expressed gratitude for the support received from the community and highlighted the power of social media in spreading awareness of such incidents. While the family may have escaped consequences that night, Faheem believes that their actions will catch up with them eventually.
The restaurant industry faces challenges with patrons who attempt to leave without paying for their meals, causing financial losses and distress to business owners. By sharing their experience, Jumeira Indian Restaurant aims to shed light on these occurrences and discourage others from engaging in similar unethical behaviours. The episode serves as a reminder for both customers and establishments to uphold honesty and integrity in their transactions to maintain trust and respect within the community.