Liverpool’s Foursquare Group has launched its ‘Save My Seat’ campaign to support to the hospitality industry and put an end to ‘no shows’.

The independent health and safety specialist is keen to normalise the idea of paying a deposit when booking a table at your favourite independent restaurant.

‘No shows’ are reportedly a huge issue for hospitality venues with 1 in 5 restaurant bookings never showing up, impacting the industry by more than £16 billion per year.

As the industry begins to reopen this week, Foursquare is calling on the public to support them in protecting our much-loved eateries and favourite drinking spots so that they can bounce back from the devastating reality of Covid-19 and ultimately, stick around.

The group has launched ‘Save My Seat’, hoping to inspire the public to pay deposits when they make a table reservation in a bid to combat the 20% of restaurant bookings that aren’t fulfilled every year.

Hospitality venues use their booking information to schedule staff and ensure that they have enough stock to meet their orders. When a customer fails to arrive for their allocated booking, it’s almost impossible for a restaurant to resell that table without notice.

According to a recent survey by guest experience management company HGEM, almost two thirds of customers were happy to pay a deposit when booking a table at a restaurant.

Louise Kissack, Foursquare’s non executive director of hospitality, says: “As we enter yet another phase of the new normal, we’re on a mission to normalise deposits.

“We’re launching our #SaveMySeat campaign to help customers understand that when your local independent restaurant asks you for a small deposit on booking it’s simply their way of safeguarding their business and protecting their future.

“After all, we want our favourite places to be around for us to enjoy for many years to come!”

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