MANAGERS at a Chinese restaurant say a 'young couple' walked out without paying for their meal.

The incident happened at Chung Ying Garden - a Cantonese and Vietnamese restaurant - in Friar Street, Worcester on Sunday.

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Staff are set to report the matter to West Mercia Police but are hoping it was a genuine mistake and the couple will return to settle the bill.

they have appealed to the couple explaining: "As a small independent business we cannot afford to lose money this way."

They have CCTV footage of the couple which they say will be released unless the pair come forward.

In a post shared on the restaurant's Facebook page, a manager wrote: "This message goes out to the young couple who left the restaurant Sunday evening (13.11.2022) without paying their bill.

"Although the amount left unpaid was relatively small, it's still disappointing that this has happened.

"If there was a reason why you decided that you didn't want to pay, you should of discussed it with us.

"On Sunday evening we only had one member of staff working front of house due to it being our quietest evening of the week, and unfortunately she felt she been taken advantage of when she went out the back to get food for the other customers dining that evening.

"As a small independent business we cannot afford to lose money this way."

We reported how Chung Ying Gardens was taken over by new manager Denny Chan in March.

At the time, Tsu Law from Chung Ying Gardens said: "He chose to take over Chung Ying Gardens because he loves Worcester, that's why he plans to relocate his wife and two young children there. 

"We are planning to expand our current menu and include new dishes, with all of the original dishes remaining the same. 

"We will be adding dishes, not taking anything away. 

"We have two chefs, one from China and one from Malaysia so we are hoping to add some Malaysian dishes."

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The previous owners announced their departure on the restaurant's Facebook page after almost two decades at the helm.

A statement said: "We’ve been lucky enough to call this place our second home for 19 years.

"This beautiful spot on Friar Street will always mean a lot to us."