A restaurant owner near Falmouth has spoken out about the rise in ‘no shows' after a quarter of booked tables didn't arrive at the restaurant on Easter Sunday.

Owner of CJ’s At the Sanctuary in Budock Water, Paul James, revealed that 47 people who had booked tables on Easter Sunday failed to show which represented a ‘massive’ loss to his staff and energy costs for the day.

According to Paul, no-shows are getting ‘more common’ and ‘generally nine times out of ten it seems to be the tourists.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality which represents about 100,000 venues across the Country said: “We are seeing it across the UK and it’s more severe in tourist locations where you rely more on booked rather than walk-in trade.

“We are seeing a significant level of cancellations and it’s really difficult at the moment because of the cost-of-living crisis.”

READ NEXT: Plans for seven beachfront apartments in Falmouth approved

Katie urges customers to call if they want to cancel: “Just let people know if you can’t make it,” she said.

Speaking to James Churchfield of BBC Radio Cornwall this morning (Wednesday, April 12) Paul expressed his frustrations at guests not showing up for their bookings. He said: One of the worst tables had been booked for 7pm.

“We had phoned them the day before saying our last orders were actually quarter to seven, but we’ll take your booking for seven o’clock and asked if they were fine with that.”

Although the guests were fine with the time, they didn’t show up for their booking.  

Paul continues: “I kept my staff on for another hour, we’ve got the ovens going, the fans are going, and the heating is on.”

Although the restaurant provides a livelihood for himself and his family, Paul is passionate about cooking and loves to cook. He added: "Cooking for me isn't just a job, it's a way of life, it's a passion, I love to cook for people.

"My wife on the other hand has had enough of this."