Should service charges be left to the customers' discretion?
I believe service charges should be regulated by law, ensuring uniformity across the board. The amount should be added to the bill. The last thing I'd want to do after a hearty lunch is work out 12.5% of £4,000. I want a bill that tells me exactly how much I need to hand over.
Matthew Fort, food editor at the Guardian
Given that restaurant customers are becoming acquainted with the 12.5% service charge, it's a brave restaurateur who's going to abandon the tronc system, especially considering the tax benefits that pertain to it. That said, we are opening a new restaurant that will not charge the 12.5%.
Charlie McVeigh, owner of the Bush Bar & Grill, Shepherds Bush, London
I think service charges should be left to the customer's discretion. That said, parties of six and over should incur an automatic charge, and the provinces are very different to London. I get annoyed when I go out and automatically get whacked with a huge service charge. I would always leave a reasonable tip anyway.
Galton Blackiston, chef-proprietor, Morston Hall, Norfolk