A restaurant in London has sparked criticism over its decision to introduce a minimum spend next month that will see solo diners charged double for their meals. In August, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, which boasts two Michelin stars, will increase the prices of its tasting menus. Currently, a five-course tasting menu costs £125 per person, while it’s £175 for seven courses. However, from 17 August, the restaurant will increase its prices by 11 per cent, bringing five courses to £165 and seven courses to £195. This is due to an increase in supplier costs and rising staff shortages in London, due to Brexit, that has put pressure on the business. For those dining alone, though, the new minimum spend means solo visitors could be charged a minimum of £330 to visit the restaurant due to the volume of requests they receive. However, the restaurant confirmed that they keep one to two tables for solo diners for every service without the minimum spend. So solo diners who book within 24 to 48 hours of their required booking time could be able to swerve the minimum spend depending on whether those tables are available at the time. Nonetheless, the initiative sparked outrage on Twitter, with commenters quick to point out the joys of dining alone, and how solo diners are often stigmatised. “F*** the Hotel Café Royal then… Solo dining is one of life’s great pleasures,” tweeted one person. “Oh great news. Yet another penalty for being single,” another added. Hugh Smithson-Write, who works in restaurant PR, tweeted: “A classic example of making the customer the problem, rather than finding a solution. “If you get ‘many solo diner requests’ how about you reconfigure your dining room to accommodate that and maximise the revenue? This is the very opposite of hospitality!” Victoria Sheppard, chief executive at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, told The Independent: “Since achieving our two Michelin stars the demand for solo dining has increased dramatically and whilst we make every effort to accommodate solo diners, we also have to be considerate to the running costs of our business. “That said, we are increasing our opening hours from 17 August and will be able to accommodate more solo diners (without any discretionary minimum spend). 95 per cent of our solo diners requesting tables since we implemented a discretionary minimum spend when we are at capacity for solo diners have been more that happy to proceed with their booking, enjoying wine pairings or champagne of wine alongside their meal. “Nightclubs in our local vicinity have minimum spends for tables or hotels you pay the same price whether one guest or two which is never under dispute.” Read More Michelin star chef Marcus Wareing gives controversial answer to the best pizza in London Tom Kerridge addresses backlash to his £35 fish and chips at Harrods: ‘They shout at me’ Chef defends viral chicken recipe after TikTok backlash: ‘PSA to the seasoning police’ Restaurant with ‘tips are a privilege’ policy sparks intense backlash on social media Cher is launching a gelato brand called ‘Cherlato’ Popeyes widely mocked for attempt to join ‘girl dinner’ trend

Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has described Manchester United as the “club of my dreams” after completing a season-long loan move to the English team in the final hours of the last day of the transfer window

Nouriel Roubini warned Wednesday that talks to avoid a US default could drag on, with failure to agree

LONDON (Reuters) -Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on Tuesday that official data published earlier in the day showed

The NFL handed out several fines from this past Monday night's matchup between the Browns and Steelers.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finance Minister Christian Lindner are thrashing out a plan to close a €20

The inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend in one of the biggest sporting events of the year, and in true Sin City style, there is going to be an F1 wedding chapel where couples can tie the knot. For those F1 fans who are racing to walk down the aisle, the first-ever (and aptly named) 'Race To The Altar' chapel will be located inside the paddock. In the video posted by the official F1 Las Vegas account, the entrance to the chapel has a bright led heart-shaped arch with a floral wall behind with a sign that reads: "Lights Out And Together We Go." There is also an F1 show car that has “Just Married” on the back of the rear wing. While this isn't your typical F1 Grand Prix feature, it is of course in Las Vegas - the home of speedy marriage licenses and weddings. Though the addition to the paddock has clearly divided F1 fans. Some F1 fans weren't impressed with the announcement, calling the chapel "cringe." While others were excited at the idea of an F1-themed chapel, so much so they would get married again. An idea for those F1 fans who wanted an on-theme divorce if the marriage doesn't work out... The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place this weekend from November 17-19. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

In the wake of a tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, Sophia and Jeff Bailey, the owners of Jeff's Jamaican Cuisine food truck, have emerged as beacons of hope

Richard Cooper’s phone is a something of an early alarm bell for the global economy. Lately, it’s been

The previous government's "Robodebt" scheme drove people to despair, a landmark inquiry finds.

An intriguing subplot unfolds early in 'Oppenheimer' with the introduction of Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh

Kim Cattrall reportedly had some specific demands in place to return to the show, including that she wouldn't have to speak to the other stars