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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be so upset people think we left without paying?

241 replies

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 19:52

Went for Sunday Lunch - have been to the pub many times before.

15 of us celebrating a birthday - balloon for the birthday girl.

Spent a lot- three courses, plenty of alcohol as well always do - all this is irrelevant but want to put the whole picture - left a 15% tip- service/food/ everything was excellent as always.

Have just been made aware of a FB post, CCTV picture of a couple standing by our table, all of us in full view - with a big post from the owner of the pub saying that these people left without paying please find them

Below this is text saying how hard it is to run a pub without people doing a runner and in this wall of text it says 'the people at the table are not involved '

Cue loads of people saying- 'its a kids 10th birthday it can't be hard to find them'
'scum, who goes for a birthday and doesn't pay'
'great pictures, easy to find then- and a link to my work page'

I have rung up and asked them to take the post down - they refuse
I have asked them to blur our images they refuse.

My son has just had someone ring him asking him why didn't we pay.

I have posted on the page asking them to remove our images and that we have proof we paid but still nothing.

Owner is responding to other posts on the page so must have seen mine. Just saying how hard it is for people to walk without paying (I'm sure it is, but we are booked for next week- 20 people, but I shall now go elsewhere)

AIBU to be so upset about this- so many comments thinking we are thieves.

OP posts:
Hameth · 04/08/2025 09:23

tothelefttotheleft · 04/08/2025 00:25

@Hameth

I don't think small claims court deals with libel cases.

You are right sorry. It is libel though and a sharp letter pointing this out should get action. I think the pub needs to take this seriously as they are now reckless. A no win no fee lawyer would take this. It's barn door and refusal to amend makes it even worse.

OldLondonDad · 04/08/2025 09:27

if they have CCTV they should be registered with the ICO and they have almost certainly broken a number of privacy laws.

Write them an email giving them 48 hours to remedy before you 1) file a complaint with the ICO and 2) go to a solicitor to begin a legal claim against them. You can stipulate your demands- I’d ask for blurring of your faces in an updated photo and a clear post of apology made regarding your group.

If they have any sense they’ll do that. If not, proceed with 1 and 2 above.

anyolddinosaur · 04/08/2025 09:39

@MissScarletInTheBallroom has produced a good letter but at the end of the first paragraph add "I refer you to Vince v Associated Newspapers Limited where a small disclaimer in text was no accepted as defence to a claim of defamation" Include a print of the judgement from here https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2024/1806.html

Vince v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2024] EWHC 1806 (KB) (15 July 2024)

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2024/1806.html

spoonbillstretford · 04/08/2025 09:56

I would post on the thread saying that while you are sorry to hear that a couple didn't pay, it is us sitting at the table, we did pay, post a copy of the receipt, and that you have told the owner to take the post down or blur your party. And also that he has lost his booking for twenty next week. You will also be considering legal action against the pub for defamation.

Why would they do this? Is he quite well?

LancashireButterPie · 04/08/2025 10:07

Oh Lord, I'd definitely consider legal action. Mud sticks.

Billybagpuss · 04/08/2025 10:14

StarlightLady · 04/08/2025 07:06

Contact the Information Commissioner’s Office advice line on 0303 123 1113. They should be able to assist.

Ensure you retain copies of any correspondence with the pub as well. Is the pub independently owned or part of a chain/brewery? If the latter it’s also time to involve them.

This is the most sensible suggestion to start with, I just looked and ico fines for breaching are substantial. The fines for not registering are also considerable.

If you send any further correspondence also make sure you mention cancellation of your table of 20 for next week.

Namechangerage · 04/08/2025 10:21

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:21

I wouldn't know where to start.

But this post has been shared, people think it is us, the world is small and the internet is forever.
It could have employment implications for me if people think I'm a thief.

Show quote history

I’d do down the data route: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection/make-a-complaint

Data protection

The Data Protection Act (DPA) controls how personal information can be used and your rights to ask for information about yourself

https://www.gov.uk/data-protection/make-a-complaint

Namechangerage · 04/08/2025 10:22

Agree if there is a head office / brewery involved then go to them. Keep evidence of your requests that they take down the image of your child.

LemonPies · 04/08/2025 10:40

spoonbillstretford · 04/08/2025 09:56

I would post on the thread saying that while you are sorry to hear that a couple didn't pay, it is us sitting at the table, we did pay, post a copy of the receipt, and that you have told the owner to take the post down or blur your party. And also that he has lost his booking for twenty next week. You will also be considering legal action against the pub for defamation.

Why would they do this? Is he quite well?

Edited

She did that yesterday.

MoveOverToTheSea · 04/08/2025 11:12

I really don’t understand the pub owners/the ones who run the pub.

they've lost money over 2 people who didn’t pay. That’s shit.

But by refusing to blur the photo or add an edit to their post highlighting it’s not you but the couple, they’ve just lost a recurring customer who is bringing them much more money every week.
Which tells me they dint even know their regular customers! And they lack common sense.

spoonbillstretford · 04/08/2025 11:18

LemonPies · 04/08/2025 10:40

She did that yesterday.

Show quote history

Not using those words, as far as we know.

If it is near home I'd go in and speak to them.

GreenCandleWax · 04/08/2025 11:34

spoonbillstretford · 04/08/2025 11:18

Not using those words, as far as we know.

If it is near home I'd go in and speak to them.

Show quote history

She needs to keep written or photo evidence.

spoonbillstretford · 04/08/2025 11:45

GreenCandleWax · 04/08/2025 11:34

She needs to keep written or photo evidence.

Show quote history

She needs to resolve the issue quickly as a first priority.

whynotwhatknot · 04/08/2025 11:45

theyre loving the publicity now send a leter before action

also tell them your cancelling your next booking due to thier behaviour over this

12345mummy · 04/08/2025 11:49

You could put a trip advisor post on saying you had a lovely time but the CCTV footage of you has been used online by the Manager and they won’t take it down. Give them 1 star. It might make them rethink their position.

nomas · 04/08/2025 12:10

madaboutpurple · 03/08/2025 21:34

Just a warning if you are going to go public with your receipt please blank out your payment details first. Good luck with this. The place owes you all a big apology.

No one would be able to misuse OP’s payment details, receipts only show the last 4 digits of the payment card used.

Englishladyofacertainage · 04/08/2025 12:13

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 04/08/2025 09:14

@ShownOnCCTV I put your posts into ChatGTP and asked for a letter before action. I am a lawyer (although this is not my area of law) and I think this is pretty good.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]

[Date]

FAO: The Owner / Manager
[Pub Name]
[Pub Address]

LETTER BEFORE ACTION
Re: Unlawful Use of Image / Defamation / Data Protection Breach / Request for Refund

Dear [Owner’s Name / Sir or Madam],

I am writing regarding a Facebook post published on or around [insert date] on your [Page Name] that includes CCTV footage in which my family and I are clearly identifiable. Although a brief disclaimer buried in the text states that we were not involved in the alleged non-payment incident, the imagery, context, and public reaction have caused significant and ongoing distress and reputational harm.

Your post has:

  • Featured multiple images where my family and I are clearly visible;
  • Led to a torrent of public comments falsely implying that we left your establishment without paying;
  • Resulted in personal distress and damage to my professional reputation, including being directly linked to my workplace;
  • Prompted phone calls to my family, including my son, questioning whether we committed theft.

Despite multiple requests to remove the post or at minimum blur our images, you have refused and are now ignoring communication. You have acknowledged that we paid, and I have provided proof of payment. Nonetheless, the defamatory implication remains live and damaging.

This situation involves:

  1. Defamation, under the Defamation Act 2013;
  2. Unlawful processing of personal data, under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR;
  3. Improper use of CCTV, contrary to ICO guidance for surveillance systems in public-facing settings.

This letter serves as a formal Letter Before Action. I now require the following, to be received by me within 7 days of the date of this letter:

  1. Immediate removal of the Facebook post and any other distribution of the images showing me and my family;
  2. A public clarification and apology posted in the same space, clearly stating that we were not involved in the alleged incident;
  3. A private written apology addressed to me;
  4. A written confirmation that all images and footage featuring us have been deleted;
  5. A full refund of the total cost of our meal (including tip), in recognition of the damage caused and your refusal to take reasonable remedial action when alerted to the harm;
  6. Confirmation that no further similar posts or uses of our images will be made.

Failure to comply will result in immediate steps to initiate legal proceedings without further notice. This may include claims for defamation, misuse of personal data, breach of CCTV usage regulations, and recovery of financial and reputational damages, as well as legal costs.

This letter is sent in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Media and Communications Claims.

Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]

Send the letter above along with @anyolddinosaur's reference to Vince v Associated Newspapers Limited and imagine them shitting their pants.

RimTimTagiDim · 04/08/2025 12:53

Billybagpuss · 04/08/2025 10:14

This is the most sensible suggestion to start with, I just looked and ico fines for breaching are substantial. The fines for not registering are also considerable.

If you send any further correspondence also make sure you mention cancellation of your table of 20 for next week.

Show quote history

The ICO don't act in much, much more serious breaches than this. Don't rely on them to fight your battles (general "your").

Blueuggboots · 04/08/2025 14:10

Does the pub belong to a chain, or associated with a bigger brewery?

FloofyBird · 04/08/2025 16:51

RimTimTagiDim · 04/08/2025 12:53

The ICO don't act in much, much more serious breaches than this. Don't rely on them to fight your battles (general "your").

Show quote history

Yes I've found them about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Places get a slap on the wrist at best unless it's super duper really really serious.

Hameth · 04/08/2025 18:36

SALaw · 03/08/2025 23:10

How can it be libel when the pub have specifically said that the party isn’t involved?!

Show quote history

Because people have identified them as the guilty party. That's sufficient and having this happen, the pub isn't removing it.

Hameth · 04/08/2025 18:36

Because people have identified them as the guilty party. That's sufficient and having this happen, the pub isn't removing it.

PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 04/08/2025 18:37

Report them to facebook and ask for it to be removed

eastegg · 05/08/2025 12:10

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 04/08/2025 02:48

Are you a lawyer? If not stop stating something is so clearly one way when you don’t have the legal expertise to know

Show quote history

Loads of people have categorically stated that it is libel. Apologies if I’ve missed it (but I don’t think I have) but why are you not asking all those people if they are lawyers? They sound just as sure of themselves as SALaw. Also there might be a clue in that username.

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 05/08/2025 22:21

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request