Tyl by NatWest partners KuulSeats for hospitality bookings

By Milan Rojan

Tyl by NatWest has partnered with restaurant booking platform KuulSeats to help UK hospitality businesses manage reservations, reduce no-shows and improve online bookings ahead of the summer of sport.

The collaboration has marked the first time KuulSeats has launched with a UK banking partner. Under the arrangement, hospitality businesses have been able to promote their venues online, manage bookings and take deposits through an integrated platform linked to Tyl’s ecommerce gateway.

James Hodgson, Chief Executive of Tyl by NatWest, said: “Pubs and restaurants will be braced for a surge in bookings and trade ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer, with spending and late-night demand expected to rise. With such a busy season of sport ahead there’s no room for no-shows.”

He added that the partnership has provided hospitality businesses with digital tools that could help them manage bookings more effectively and protect revenue.

The companies said the service has been designed to help pubs and restaurants address rising no-show rates, which have remained a challenge for the sector. Industry data cited by the companies has shown that 14% of guest bookings in 2024 resulted in a no-show without prior notice, while a further 18% were cancelled in advance. The research has also estimated that missed bookings have cost the hospitality sector £17.59 billion in lost revenue annually.

By enabling deposits to be taken at the point of booking, the partnership has aimed to reduce lost revenue and improve operational efficiency. The service has been made available free to Tyl customers, with optional ecommerce functionality for advance payments.

Simon Rand, Founder and Chief Executive of KuulSeats, said: “Hospitality businesses are facing unprecedented pressure, particularly from rising no-shows and shifting consumer behaviour. Partnering with Tyl by NatWest allows us to give pubs and restaurants the tools they need to protect their bookings, improve efficiency and grow revenue.”

KuulSeats has also added World Cup-specific booking features, including venue tags for matches and special sittings with optional deposits and pre-orders.

The partnership has reflected NatWest’s wider support for hospitality businesses through digital payments and booking tools.