A COUPLE with a small child ran up a ‘very big bill’ at a restaurant before leaving without paying.

The trio came into Chicken and Blues in Christchurch on a Tuesday lunchtime.

They racked up a bill of £80, which restaurant owner Josh Simons said was a ‘very big bill for two people for lunch’ at the eatery.

“They tried to pay with a card, which declined, then made some excuses as to why they had to go and get some money from the ATM machine and then basically done a runner,” Josh said.

“Our team were obviously quite traumatized by it because it's very unusual in Christchurch for this sort of thing to go on.

“Our team are quite young and nice kids so didn't want to confront them.

“So, they had to report into us, of course, that this had happened and caused them a lot of stress, which was unnecessary.”

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The restaurant has high quality CCTV, so captured the group in the act.

Josh posted the photos of the alleged perpetrators on Facebook to see if anyone knows them.

“It turns out that a lot of people know them and they're quite notorious for doing this stuff to other restaurants in the local area,” he said.

“Various other venues that people are messaging me about.

“They were apparently habitual scammers of restaurants, which is a shame because especially local independent restaurants like us, it just seems a bit poor form to do it to anyone, let alone small, independent local companies.”

Josh has given the pair the opportunity to come in and settle their bill, after which the company will match the £80 and donate £160 to its charity of the year, Bournemouth Foodbank.

Josh said highlighting this was about the principle, and he is hoping that after the response on Facebook, with hundreds of messages and comments to Josh, will mean they will not do it again.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “It is reported that between 1.30pm and 2.35pm on Tuesday 20 February 2024 customers left Chicken & Blues in Church Street in Christchurch without paying for their food.

“The incident was reported to Dorset Police at around 2.10pm on Wednesday 28 February 2024. Officers will be carrying out enquiries into this matter.

“No arrests have been made.”