Restaurant Table Card Scheme
How does the scheme work?
At participating restaurants table cards or a reference on the menu will ask customers if they wish to have a voluntary £1 added to the table bill at the end of the meal. At the end of each month the restaurant passes on the total money raised to St. Mary's Hospice. Every penny in £1 raised goes directly to providing care and support to patients and families.
For Customers:
At the end of your meal, a voluntary charge of £1 per table is added to the bill after service and VAT. You can of course choose not to participate, simply by telling the staff who can easily remove it from the bill. You can also contribute more if you wish. It's a simple way to make a difference.
For Restaurateurs:
• Customer awareness - A small table card is placed on each table. The card explains the scheme, and states that a voluntary £1 will be added by the restaurant to the table's bill at the end of the meal. It also states that the customer may, of course, decline to participate. However, experience has shown that customers rarely object; in fact they are often delighted to have the opportunity to help. Some customers may ask that a larger contribution be added to the bill.
• Restaurant staff and tips - The scheme is quick and easy for staff to operate, and most welcome the chance to help the hospice. Most restaurants find that participating in the table card scheme has no effect on the level of tipping. Experience has shown that customers are happy to contribute to the scheme and don't make any adjustment to the level of tipping they would normally leave for a meal.
• Cost to the restaurant - The cost to the restaurant is zero. St. Mary's will provide all the table cards and any information to the restaurant. The scheme is a very cost efficient way for restaurants to fulfil their social and community responsibility.
• VAT - The £1 donation is added to the bill after the service charge and VAT, and so does not affect your VAT returns.
• Administration - The use of electronic tills makes the administration very straight forward. Most restaurants allocate a button on their till to St. Mary's. Staff add £1 (or more if the customer wishes) to the bill given to the customer. At the close of business each day, the end of day report gives the sum totals for food, alcohol, beverages, service etc., and a separate sum for the hospice. The amount taken for the hospice can then be subtracted from that days sales.
At the end of each month, the accountant determines the balance of the restaurant takings verses total sales, and the surplus would be the sum of all the St. Mary's contributions made by customers. The restaurant then simply writes a cheque or makes a bank transfer at the end of each month to St. Mary's Hospice.
Taking part
If your business would like to take part in the St. Mary's Hospice Restaurant Table Card Scheme then please contact us on 01229 580305.
Any restaurant is welcome to make a donation in addition or in lieu of participating in the £1 campaign. Those donating will of course receive the same publicity and exposure as those in the regular campaign. We can also provide you with a donation collection box to display in your establishment if you prefer.
