Bengaluru hotels may introduce ‘Table Charges’ to stop hour-long occupancy without orders

Hotel owners’ association plans penalty system for customers who occupy tables for long hours after small orders, citing business losses.

In a move to address growing concerns over table misuse, the Bengaluru Hotel Owners’ Association is considering introducing ‘table charges’ for customers who spend long hours sitting in hotels without placing sufficient food orders.

Small and medium-sized hotels across the city have reported a rising trend of customers occupying tables for extended periods, often after ordering only tea, coffee, or a small snack. Many customers also use hotel premises to conduct long meetings, leading to congestion and loss of business opportunities.

According to the association, this behaviour directly affects daily sales, especially during peak hours, when genuine customers are unable to find seating due to prolonged table occupation. Several hotel owners have formally approached the association, urging immediate steps to protect their business interests.

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As per the proposal, customers who sit for hours after placing minimal orders may be charged a penalty or table usage fee, similar to parking charges. The idea is to ensure fair table turnover and prevent unnecessary blocking of space.

The association stated that this plan is still in the discussion stage and that a formal letter will soon be submitted to the government seeking approval and guidelines to implement the system legally and fairly.

If approved, the new system could soon be implemented across Bengaluru, particularly in busy commercial areas, where table occupancy is a major concern.