One of the responsibilities of the OFT, as set out in section 7 of the Fair Trading Act 2015, is to promote good business practices which may affect consumer interests and to give information and advice in this regard.
The OFT has received several complaints from consumers about issues they have had with restaurants / caterers regarding deposits, service charges and food description. Whereas the OFT has approached some restaurants / caterers individually in order to address any areas of specific concern, it has also decided to approach the local restaurant / catering industry generally with a view to raising awareness of these issues and providing best practice guidance with the objective of reducing complaints against this sector. It is hoped that this will ensure that all businesses within this sector are operating legally and on a level playing field with each other.
Restaurants have been sent a letter containing the new guidance and copies have also been circulated to the Gibraltar Federation of small Buisnesses and the Chamber of Commerce.
