A family of eight is accused of leaving a popular Pembrokeshire pub without paying a £185 bill in what the landlord has described as a devastating “dine and dash.” The Ship, in the coastal village of Solva, Wales, said the group of four adults and four children arrived at around 6pm last Friday and enjoyed a full sit-down meal, including three courses for some. Their mains included classic pub dishes such as burgers and fish and chips.
But at around 8pm, the group allegedly got up and left without paying, apart from one man who stayed behind. According to landlord Simon Green, the man attempted to pay using Apple Pay but the transaction failed.
Mr Green told WalesOnline: “He said he’d be back the next day to settle the bill, but he never returned. When I challenged him, he just said: ‘Call police then.’”
The unpaid bill represents a heavy loss for the independent business.
Mr Green, who runs the pub with his wife, said: “That was probably about half our profit for the evening. Our mark-up on food and drink is very low and we’re an independent. It’s just me and my wife, so it’s hard. This kind of behaviour can put you out of business.”
The Ship, which has been run by the Greens for eight years, dates back to the 1800s and has built a reputation for its real ales and hearty food, holding a four-star average across nearly 200 Google reviews.
Following the incident, the pub shared a photo of one of the alleged culprits on Facebook, with the caption: “This delightful person and his family had £185 worth of food and drink for free.”
Mr Green said he has not reported the matter to police, believing little would be done. Instead, he posted the warning to social media to alert other pubs and restaurants. He added that businesses may want to consider asking for payment up front if they have doubts about a group.
The incident has sparked outrage from locals online, with many offering messages of support for the family-run pub.