Does a bird table need to be staked to the ground?

My bird table has no wooden stake but is hanging from a hanging basket bracket and no birds have been attracted to it.

sometimes it takes the birds a while to notice it is there. In winter when there is less food around they are more likely to use it.

Should i stop putting food out until winter to keep it fresh or put it out so they get used to it being there?

Put a little food out now, even if you have to throw it away.
You mention a bracket and if this is fixed to the house, it may be too close to the wall for the birds to feel comfortable. It should be a few metres from walls. Now is a heavy feeding time for growing young birds, but other gardens may be supplying all the food that is actually needed in your neighbourhood..

Well funny your saying that because a few days ago i moved the bird table to a different location it is now at the back of the garden next to the fence and its high up. I also recently put a bird bath out and today i saw to birds at the food and some crumbs were in the water when i went to clean it. So things are improving.
Thanks Anyway