2 weeks Ago
Diners across Britain have hit out at the rise of American-style 'stealth tipping' as outlets introduce rip-off service charges to bills that take customers by surprise. From 15 per cent 'management fees' in restaurants to 'dynamic pricing' in pubs, customers are having to pay extra amounts in a move branded 'cynical' by unions. Service charges have become commonplace at restaurants in recent years with most diners now expecting to find at least a 10 per cent addition on their receipt.
But such charges are now 'surreptitiously' appearing on everything from pints of lager to takeaway coffees - with experts fearing Britain is sleepwalking into adopting America's tipping culture, where additions can often be as high as 20 per cent. Among the recent notable discretionary charges brought in across the UK are: A 15 per cent 'management fee' at trendy dim sum chain Ping Pong ; L'Escargot in Soho having a 'service charge' of 15 per cent for all customers; Italian restaurant Gloria in Shoreditch applying a 'checkout fee' of £2.99 ; A 2 per cent 'automatic charge' at The Scotsman Group bars and pubs; 'Dynamic pricing' at Stonegate pubs making a pint 20p more at weekends.
Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said the rise in such charges was 'concerning', while the Unite union said it was a 'cynical attempt' to circumvent fair tipping laws. There has also been controversy over 'checkout fees' being applied to bills for those using the mobile app Sunday, including those at Gloria in Shoreditch, .
