Turn times
How long a table is held for a booking. Set a default, vary it by party size with bands, or override it for one booking.
Owner and managerA turn time is how long a party is expected to keep a table. The book uses it to decide whether the next booking on that table clashes. Bigger parties usually stay longer, so you can set different turn times by party size.
Set the default turn time
- Go to Settings, then Service hours & turn times.
- In the "Turn times" card, set "Default turn time". It can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 8 hours. If you never set one, the system uses 90 minutes.
- Choose "Save changes".
Vary it by party size with bands
- In the "Turn-time bands" card, choose "Add first band" (or "Add band").
- Enter the party size range, From and to. The smallest value is 1 and the largest is 100. The top of the range can be left open.
- Enter the turn time for that range, from 15 to 480 minutes.
- Optionally pick a shift under "Shift (optional)". The default, "Outlet-level (all shifts)", applies to every shift.
- Save the band.
Note: A band is applied when a new booking is made. Each booking keeps the turn time it was given at that moment, so changing or deleting a band never changes existing bookings.
Override it for one booking
When staff create or edit a booking, the "When" card has a "Turn time" field (15 to 480 minutes). Use it for a long celebration or a quick lunch.
Common problems
- A table shows a conflict for the next booking even though the guests have left: mark the earlier booking Complete on the book. A table stays held until its booking is completed or its turn time runs out.
- A shift can have its own turn time. If the shift has one, it wins over the venue default.