Restaurant managers have issued a stern public rebuke after a shameless group of four customers executed a brazen dine and dash, fleeing without settling a substantial £230 bill on Valentine's Day. The incident occurred at the Mediterranean Chadderton Bar and Grill in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, where the party indulged in fillet steaks, cocktails, and desserts before slipping away unnoticed.
Valentine's Day Disappearance
Owner Lokman described the moment he realised the table had vanished. "I was serving another table taking an order, and the next thing, I looked over and they had disappeared," he told The Manchester Evening News. "I am gutted. It's not just about the money, but it's the time. We had to make all the cocktails for them when we were busy." The group arrived without a booking on a bustling evening, waited 15 minutes for a table, and were later joined by a friend.
Substantial Bill and Sneaky Exit
CCTV footage and receipts reveal the group ordered two fillet steaks at £26.95 each, pizzas, portions of Frederick's ice cream, and an array of drinks including Malibu and coke along with eight pornstar martinis. Their departure was carefully staged: one woman exited first under the guise of having a smoke, with the others following about five minutes later, capitalising on the busy restaurant environment to avoid detection.
Public Appeal and Business Warning
In response, the venue took to Facebook to share CCTV images and details, breaking from their usual policy of customer privacy. "We are sharing this message to make other restaurant owners and businesses aware," they wrote. "These customers visited our restaurant, enjoyed their meal, and unfortunately left without paying the bill." The post urged the individuals to come forward and settle the debt while advising fellow businesses to stay vigilant.
Community Outrage and Support
The public reaction was swift and sympathetic, with many expressing disgust at the audacity of the act. One commenter lamented, "Oh this is horrible, my family and myself have had lovely meals here including xmas dinner. What is wrong with people. I feel like crying. You terrible people." Another added, "How on earth in 2026 do people have the audacity to walk into establishments, sit down, eat a meal and walk out without paying. That is actually MORTIFYING to think of."
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by hospitality venues, particularly during peak times like Valentine's Day, where staff are stretched thin and such premeditated actions can easily go unnoticed. The restaurant's decision to go public aims to deter future occurrences and foster community solidarity against such exploitative behaviour.
