UK couple leaves restaurant without paying £120 bill, flaunts meal on Facebook

On August 5, a couple allegedly skipped out on a £120 (approximately ₹12,000) bill at The Lazy Fox after posting pictures of their meal on Facebook. The couple had reportedly enjoyed a lavish spread that included six espresso martinis, gourmet burgers, halloumi, sweet potato fries, and a Biscoff cheesecake.

Restaurant co-owner Mauricio Spinola expressed frustration over the financial loss, stating, "It's a big hit for a small business like ours, we just can't afford to lose over 100 pounds in the current climate. We can't ask people to give us their phone or wallet when they go out for a cigarette. The vast majority of our customers are great and would think that is weird." Spinola also mentioned that the police have been notified of the incident, as they seek to recover the unpaid bill.

Echoing the sentiment, co-owner Enoely Fernandez criticised the couple's audacity, calling them "silly" for flaunting their meal on social media. Fernandez also mentioned the difficulty faced by the staff, noting, "The hard thing is the guy didn’t look suspicious. He wasn’t drunk. He wasn’t shouting. He wasn’t disruptive. He asked to go out for a cigarette, and of course, we said that was fine."

In a video released by the restaurant, the couple was seen taking an hour to enjoy their meal before stepping out "for a cigarette." However, they never returned, according to a report by the Independent.

The incident has resonated with other restaurant owners in the area, some of whom have reported similar encounters with the same couple. These reports suggest that the pair may have a history of deceiving restaurants, raising concerns within the local dining community.

(With inputs from agencies)