News / Restaurants
Bristol North West MP to launch campaign clamping down on unfair tipping policies
In the wake of revelations about unfair tipping policies of some Bristol restaurants, Darren Jones is planning to launch a citywide campaign.
The aim is to rate establishments on their treatment of staff in order to enable customers to make an informed decision on where to dine.
The Bristol North West MP took up the cause after the Bristol Post broke the news that local restaurant chain Aqua Italia charge their waiting staff a percentage ‘tax’ on each table they wait, regardless of tips received.
is needed now More than ever
Jones speaking in Parliament
He has raised the matter in the House of Commons and has set things in motion to close the legal loophole that allows this practise, but in the meantime is hoping to make a difference in the city by launching a Tip Review website.
Still in its infancy, the idea is to create a steering group to lead the campaign and Jones is appealing for volunteers to help build the website, which would be accessed by staff, who can remain anonymous, and customers.
Aqua Italia on Whiteladies Road
Restaurants that have been verified as having fair tipping policies would receive a Tip Review accredited logo to display.
“Changing the law is quite a slow process,” explained Jones. “And it’s even harder when you’re in opposition and trying to persuade a Government that disagrees with you.
“We’ve persuaded the Government to now reply to a consultation on the law that governs tips, which is progress from when we started, but there’s much more work to do.
“Because of that, I’ve decided to launch a local campaign in Bristol while we wait for the law to change. Tip Review will be a new website which allows waiting staff to anonymously review their employing restaurants. Customers can then check before deciding which restaurant to go to, and make sure that any tips they give go straight to the waiting staff.”
The MP is keen for people in Bristol to be involved in launching the campaign.
Anyone willing to offer help and expertise on a pro-bono basis, by joining a steering committee or creating a website, to help Tip Review get off the ground is asked to email darren.jones.mp@parliament.uk.
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