Do i have to pay the service charge on a restaurant bill in the UK?

When presented with my bill in a restaurant there was a service charge added on, is this compulsory to pay?|||NO, you do not have to pay it, for the definative answer, have a look at this:





http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shoppin鈥?/a>|||No if you don't want to pay it just ask them to take it off.|||Yes, it's part of the price. Leave a smaller tip than you would in the USA.|||good question. i have never thought about it before. always just paid it. will watch answers with interest.|||No service charge is not compulsory, all you need to do is ask nicely and they will remove it. Service charges are generally used to deliver a more equal spread of gratuities between servers and chefs, as if you tip in cash it normally all goes to the server. You ned to remember that tips and service charges are the way these people make up the bulk of their earnings though so its important that you recognise good service and hard work whether its with a cash tip or a service charge. And no you don't need to do both.|||Next time read the menu very carefully. It usually says "XX% service charge added for parties of X or more" somewhere in the fine print. Yes, it is compulsory.|||Ask the restaurant on entering if they have a `service charge` if they say yes, walk out.


I don`t use restaurants, because I don`t trust what happens in their kitchens - health/cleanliness etc.


But to add a `service charge` is just highway robbery.|||Yes but dont leave a tip as well|||Yes it's compulsary,it's 'suppose' to go to the staff as a tip but the manager/owner usually pockets it!


No point giving the thumbs down,I've done enough waitressing jobs to know what goes on!!!|||No, you don't!!!


I refused to pay this in a London restaurant once years ago as the service was non-existant. The owner called the Police and I told the policeman I wasn't prepared to pay for something I didn't receive. He agreed, and told the owner that a service charge is a voluntary payment (like a tip) and not compulsory.|||Just go to Mc Dons in future and don't worry over it tight wad.|||if it is advertised in the menu then technically yes but you can refuse if the service is bad. if you are not informed until the bill arrives then no.|||yes but never leave a tip if thers a service charge