Family-run restaurant issues desperate plea for customers after no one turns up

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The owner of a tapas restaurant said he has had to ‘swallow his pride’ and beg for customers on social media in a desperate attempt to keep his business afloat.

Scott Oliver, who owns Tapa in Bollington, Cheshire, posted a message online asking 'what can we do to get people to come in?’ as he offered free food vouchers for people to use on a second visit in a bid to tempt diners to visit.

But Scott, 35, says he was inundated with requests after posting the message on August 30 and even claimed he had to take the batteries out of the restaurant's phone as it was overrun with people wanting to help out. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. The dad-of-one, who runs the restaurant with partner Jaydean Pilling, says he served around 60 people across the night and turned away 30 because they were too busy.

He says Tapa's electricity bill has risen from £600 to £2,500 in 18 months and only after crying down the phone to his provider did they arrange a plan at £1,500 per month.