Fixed service charge ‘gives staff just reward’
ONE in five Guernsey restaurants are now adding fixed discretionary service charges on to bills, a Guernsey Press investigation has found.
The move has been praised by Guernsey Hospitality Association president Alan Sillett, who said staff were now getting the rewards they deserved as islanders have cut back on tipping.
‘The hospitality sector has been guilty of selling itself cheap over the past few decades, but those days are now rightly over,’ he said.
The Guernsey Press surveyed 76 restaurants, pubs and cafes which serve food, and found 18 added a fixed charge on every bill.
For the majority of these restaurants this charge was 10%, but four charge 12.5%.
A further 18 added extra service charges to large tables or parties.
While some said this had been in place for a while, a number have introduced the charge in the past year.
Those who said where the money went confirmed that it was split among the staff.
The GHA represents more than 70 local eateries, many of which add a service charge.
‘Obviously it’s up to each individual restaurant or company as to whether they add a service charge,' said Mr Sillett.
‘Since Covid there has been a reduction in tipping as the vast majority of bills are now settled by card. It also aids staff retention as good quality staff are always worth trying to keep.’
The Little Big Hotel Group trialled adding a service charge five years ago at one of its three restaurants, but stopped after it was badly received by customers.
‘We tried it at Les Douvres and it didn’t get a good response,’ said managing director Charlie Walker.
‘In the end we decided it’s good to just leave it to the customer. It all felt a bit prompted. The tips show the service team’s intimate connection with the customer. It’s not for the company to dictate that the tip is fixed.
‘Go to the USA and it’s 20% across the board, it’s become a given in the UK, and does feel its making its way over here, but it’s not something we are looking at, even for bigger groups.’
Sarnia Hotels has restaurants at Les Rocquettes, Hotel de Havelet and Moore’s.
Managing director Karel Harris said its hotels add an optional service charge on accounts for larger parties that are billed back to companies for payment, and this was in response to feedback from companies.
The group was however, discussing whether to introduce a broader service charge.
‘If we decide to proceed it will be from our next financial year, so that we can let our clients know. If we do, it will be passed on entirely to the staff.’
Service charge policy and level of charge
The Guernsey Press contacted 76 restaurants about their service charge policy, and spoke directly to 72. Of those spoken to, 36 do not have a service charge
Add a 12.5% service charge
Duke Of Richmond
The Brasserie @ Old Government House
The Curry Room
Victor Hugo Restaurant @ St Pierre Park
Total: 4
Add a 10% service charge
Balthazar
China Red
Cobo Bay Hotel
Deerhound
Dix Neuf
Gusto
La Fregate
Le Nautique
Puffin & Oyster
Red
Ship & Crown
The Hook
The Farmhouse
Thomas De La Rue
Total: 14
Add a 10% service charge for larger tables
Six or more people
Koi Koi
Eight or more people
Buho
Cornerstone
Driftwood Inn
Grange Lodge
La Barbarie
Lobster & Grill
Pier 17
The Rock Garden
Ten or more people
Fat Rascal
Nineteen
Roc Salt
Slaughterhouse
Total: 13
Add a 10% service charge added private events or parties
Copenhagen @ Hotel de Havelet
Octopus
Rocquettes Hotel
The Conservatory @ Moores Hotel
Tinto
Total: 5
No service charge
Auberge du Val
Chop House
Christies
Coco
Crabby Jacks
Da Nello
Doghouse
Fleur du Jardin
Good Rebel
Hotel Jerbourg
Imperial
King Balti
La Perla
La Piazza
La Villette
Le Gouffre
Les Douvres
Longfrie
Mint @ The Last Post
Old Quarter
Peninsula Hotel
Pickled Pig
Prince of Wales
Rockmount
Rosso
Sahara City @ La Trelade
Saints Bay Hotel
Sitar
Sorrento
Taj
Taste of India
The Boathouse
The Captains
The Pony Inn
The Wicked Wolf
Village East
Total: 36
Service charge not specified in online menus, not verified in person
Cock and Bull
La Reunion
Saltwater (shut for winter)
The Terrace (shut for winter)
Total: 4
