Manchester hospitality urges city to get behind #NoMoreNoShows again

The #NoMoreNoShows campaign launched last July to stop the devastating effects of customers not turning up to bar and restaurant bookings.

Hospitality operators revealed the issue was costing the sector £16bn a year, with between 25% and 50% of online bookings simply not turning up. 

As the sector begins to re-open, following a devastating year, hospitality bosses are warning that further no-shows could prove to be just as crippling as the pandemic itself. 

Today, the team behind the original campaign (Sixty-Eight People and Antonia Lallement from Gusto Italian) are refreshing their message to remind consumers how critical it is to support the industry; in the hope that it will help rebuild quicker, saving hundreds from losing their livelihoods. 

“Last summer’s campaign was all about helping our beloved hospitality industry get back on its feet,” says Abi Dunn of hospitality recruitment business Sixty-Eight People.

“The public were amazing at sharing the message and now the industry needs their help again. 

“The sector was shocked and saddened by the number of no shows back in July and with sites currently reporting ‘fully booked’ space, we just want to make sure that’s what they actually have.

“Our message has always been ‘it’s’ OK to cancel’, in fact you’re helping the team onsite by doing so.

“Making no shows a thing of the past would be the dream here.”

This matters. Now more than ever. Can't make a booking? Just cancel it, up front. #nomorenoshows pic.twitter.com/yTOhBCqiLq

— Thom Hetherington (@ThomHetheringto) April 8, 2021

The refresher campaign goes live today, Friday 9th April, with hospitality leaders, operators and employees from all around Greater Manchester asked to post the #NoMoreNoShows tile on their socials, calling on their own network of customers, family and friends to do their bit by sharing the image and politely reminding customers of the original three steps: 

1. Plans change. That’s cool. Just let us know.
2. Rebook – we still love you.
3. Encourage friends and family to do the same.

The #NoMoreNoShows movement has already gained support from the region’s hospitality leaders.

“After a time when hospitality and its vast supply chain, like many industries, has been catastrophically impacted by the pandemic, we now find ourselves at the dawn of yet another reopening,” says Simon Wood, Chef Patron of Wood Restaurant.

“This brings its own challenges of trying to obtain supply of produce and the huge cost of restocking any venue big or small.

“The huge knock-on impact to costs, wastage, resource and employers caused by no-shows is something that can certainly be avoided.

“A little courtesy goes a long way and a simple phone call in a timely manner can help to mitigate any negative impact on a business.”

Menesh Modhwadia, director of operations for Mission Mars, operating Albert’s Schloss, says: “We have spent lots of time and money creating safe and amazing spaces for our guests to return to and we can’t wait to open our doors.

“But it’s so important to us, and I’m sure all operators, that guests let us know if they are unable to attend.”