Incident at The Custom House
A restaurant owner has criticized a "disrespectful" couple who reportedly left without paying for a dinner and drinks totaling £115, including a £52 Dover sole.
The pair dined at The Custom House in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, on Monday evening. Their order included eight Cokes, calamari, and a two-course set menu.
According to the restaurant, when staff attention was diverted, the customers fled, leaving their vehicle from the car park before the manager could reach them.
The incident was captured on CCTV, prompting the restaurant to make a social media appeal requesting the customers to return and settle the bill.
South Wales Police confirmed they are investigating the matter.
"We'd much rather resolve this directly and appreciate you getting in touch with us as soon as possible," the restaurant stated.
The £115 bill included eight Cokes, calamari, and a Dover sole.
Owner's Response and Impact on Staff
Tanny Martinez, owner of The Custom House, which has served the Penarth community for over 20 years, described the event as "hugely disappointing for the entire team."
"The hospitality industry is already facing an incredibly challenging economic climate, with rising costs and pressures across the sector, without having to deal with situations like this,"he said.
"It's incredibly frustrating when the hard work and dedication that goes into creating great experiences for our customers is not respected."
Martinez further explained that the consequences of dine-and-dash incidents extend beyond financial loss.
"Situations like this can also have a real effect on the team's morale and wellbeing, especially when so much care and effort goes into every service."
About The Custom House
The pair dined at The Custom House restaurant in Penarth on Monday evening.
The Custom House is located on the site of the former Penarth Head Inn, historically linked to the 18th-century pirate Edward Edwards.
The Grade II listed Renaissance-style dock building was constructed in 1865 to support Penarth's growing shipping industry. The Martinez family purchased and renovated the building in 2000.
Currently, it houses two venues operated by the Martinez Group Restaurants: El Puerto, where the dine-and-dash occurred, and La Marina.
Context and Police Investigation
This incident is not the first dine-and-dash case in South Wales to gain public attention. Previously, a Port Talbot couple, Bernard and Ann McDonagh, were jailed in 2024 after dine-and-dashing over £1,000 across five restaurants.
South Wales Police confirmed they received a report of theft from The Custom House on 29 June and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
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