OUTRAGED customers are boycotting a Lakeside restaurant over its controversial tips policy.

Las Iguanas, which has a branch at the Thurrock shopping centre, takes 3 per cent of sales from waiter’s tips.

This means if a table has a £100 bill, and tips 10 per cent or £10, it leaves the waiter with £7 for themselves and 3 per cent, or £3, goes back into the company pot.

But several customers have expressed their disgust with the chain’s policy after the issue was raised in the national media.

Claims were made by some waiting staff that they were having to return more money than they made in wages for an evening’s work.

Grays resident Natasha Stidder, 30, College Road, who works for the Financial Times, said: “After eating at the Lakeside branch a great deal, I was shocked to hear of the 3 per cent charge and will be boycotting the chain as a result.

“Waiting is hard enough, without having to fork out your own money at the end of every shift or fear serving large tables in case they don’t tip.

“It’s a ridiculous business model, and hopefully the chain will be forced to reconsider this damaging and demeaning practice.”

Three per cent of the table’s bill is taken from tips by Las Iguanas who use it for staff incentives, training and to pay bar and kitchen workers above the minimum wage. What is left of the tip is left with the waiter.

A spokesman for Las Iguanas said the company only took a percentage of sales when the tips made covered it.

He said: “This policy has been in place for 20 years, and means customers’ gratuities are shared among the whole restaurant team, so everyone is rewarded.

“If they do not receive enough in tips to cover the 3 per cent, they are absolutely not expected or made to pay back any money.”

But some people remain adamant they will not eat at the restaurant until the policy is changed.

June Chasney, 58, Rectory Road, Grays, said: “I think it’s appalling they don’t keep their tips. I think it’s disgusting.

“If I was to eat there again, I would make sure I give the tips to the waiter. I haven’t been back since and it puts me off eating there.”

Another customer, David Snashall, of Atlee Court, added: “It is totally wrong in this day and age that staff at this establishment are treated so unfairly.”

Las Iguanas was included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2015 list.

Echo:

ECHO readers believe waiters should get all of their tips.

In a poll, we asked "Some restaurants take a percentage of tips from waiting staff or put them into a communal pot. Do you think tips should go direct to the workers who earn them?"

An overwhelming 92 per cent of people who voted agreed that waiting staff should get tips directly. A total of 681 voted.