One of the banes of running a pub is the propensity for customers to leave behind their property.
This simple policy will help you manage the expectations of customers, on those occasions, when they inadvertently leave their valuables in your pub. Trust me, it will save you a lot of grief if you implement a lost property policy and you and your team adhere to it.
Lost Property Policy
The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] accepts no responsibility for private property whilst on the premises, including accepting any liability should lost property being returned for any reason to someone who is not its owner -e.g. if someone makes a false representation to the management or staff of The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] of ownership of property.
Property that is left on the premises will be kept for a period of three months, after which it will be disposed of.
In order for property to be reclaimed, a detailed description of the item(s) and/or proof of ID (identity).
Whilst every effort will be made to identify the possible owner of lost property (which is likely to involve searching of the item(s)) and then make contact with them The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] will not return the property to that person unless they provide the details set out in the previous paragraph.
The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] will not mail/courier or insure during transit any reclaimed property back to the presumed owner unless they send the appropriate fees to cover packing and postage, and any insurance during transit stipulated by the claimant.
All items sent at owner’s risk.
Note The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] will NOT automatically arrange insurance during transit. The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] will only arrange insurance during transit if it is specifically requested in writing at the time of reclaiming found property – and then The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] will only arrange the insurance that is made available as “standard” by the carrier chosen by The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] (so The [INSERT NAME OF PUB] will not be liable for the suitability of the insurance), and for the value stated in writing by the person claiming the property.
Once you’ve edited the document with your pub name, don’t forget to print it off and display alongside your other publicly visible policy statements.
I cribbed this policy statement from The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, so you can rest assured it is fit for purpose.
If you’d like a free copy to download for your own use, click here.