Do you tend to leave a tip when eating or drinking out in the UK? Fierce debates about its fairness have been sparked online in recent days, as a London restaurant has banned tipping in favour of what they're calling a brand fee.

The optional fifteen percent charge is automatically added to customers bills at dim sum chain Ping Pong which operates five venues in the capital. The fee is said to go towards "franchise fees and other brand-related expenditure" and replaces a twelve point five percent service charge - ninety percent of which went to staff.

Some are claiming the move is reasonable as hospitality venues struggle to keep up with rising costs of staying open, but others say its unfair as it comes at the expense of some of the country's lowest paid staff.

Bosses behind the move said it's a trial run as an alternative to raising food prices and they'll review constructive feedback before making a permanent decision in June. It comes ahead of a rule change which will mean workers get one hundred percent of tips from July.

Would you pay a brand fee and why or why not? Is its introduction a good idea for the struggling hospitality sector? And should restaurants be forced to hand over all tips to their staff?