The Halfway House Restaurant, Bar & Herongate Function Suite Brentwood

15/06/2026

Fantastic set up in Herongate Suite for Lucas’s 3rd birthday

04/06/2026

A couple guzzled down steaks before they ran off leaving their £230 bill. 🏃‍♀️💰😯

The incident happened at The Halfway House in Brentwood, Essex on May 16. 🍽️

Footage showed the brazen man and woman being seated before they asked to be moved to a table near the restaurant's rear exit.

Their request to be seated closer to the exit led general manager Deanne to believe the incident was "premeditated."

Deanne said the couple ordered several starters, two steaks, 14 shots of Baby Guinness and ice cream sides. 🥩

The "ultimate dine and dash" couple scoffed the food before the woman slinked out of the front door while appearing to chat away on the phone. 🏃‍♀️📱

Footage appeared to show the man as he looked around before heading off toward the rear exit.

They were later spotted running away across the car park.

When staff reviewed the CCTV footage later that day, Deanne was stunned to see the couple did a runner without paying off the £231.30 bill and then reported it to the police.

Deanne later shared the clip of the incident online to raise awareness and warn other businesses about the couple.

She claimed the woman was later shamed into coming back to the restaurant to pay £90 toward the bill.

But the man has not been in touch, according to Deanne.

She said: "They just seemed like a normal couple. They asked to sit, they moved from a small table to a big table.

"It’s away from everyone but sometimes couples do that to have a private meal. They specifically asked for that table, it did seem premeditated.

"They were absolutely fine, chatty. There was no indication any of this would happen."

30/05/2026

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29/05/2026

27/05/2026

Celebrating this lovely lady today on her retirement after 21 years of loyal service ❤️

The Halfway House won’t be the same without you ❤️

Thank you for your hard work, loyalty, friendship, and the million memories made along the way ❤️

You will be truly missed - enjoy your retirement ❤️

A big thank you to Essex Event Hire for the light up 21 ✨