A Dolgellau restaurant owner has won support online after sharing messages from an angry customer who was unhappy about waiting 12 minutes to be seated.

In colourful messages the customer, who has not been named, says they will give The Gatehouse Steakhouse a bad review unless given a free meal to make up for their wait, which they later say was only five minutes.

A Facebook post from the restaurant, which has been shared 21,000 times, shares screengrabs of the conversation.

“Eat Out Help Out has been fantastic for the hospitality industry... and especially for us,” the post explains.

“It’s helped us claw back so much lost revenue and there has been a real buzz about Dolgellau. I hope all of the other businesses have enjoyed it as much as we have.

“Whilst we have done everything to maximise business and make customers happy, there is always one absolute spanner.

“Before you read this just think back to 23 March when no matter how much money or influence you had, you couldn’t dine out for months.

“Thanks to everybody, tourists and our amazing locals who have been amazing, patient and enjoyed what we offer.”

In the shared screengrabs, the conversations starts: “Hi, I was booked in your restaurant last night at 6:30 and we had to wait 12 minutes to be seated, we were [stood] in a line outside, do you think this is okay? I’m not f****** happy about this.”

The restaurant apologises, saying: “We do give 1 hour 45 mins to the early tables. It’s very difficult though to send people away if they still have half a drink left etc. As much as we try to stick to the times, sometimes things don’t go to plan and there is a short wait.”

They add that the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme has seen the restaurant serve record numbers and “even with a large team of staff, it’s been challenging at times. I do apologise, but I’m glad your wait was only 12 mins”.

When the customer is asked if they enjoyed the meal and if the service was okay, the customer responds: “The food and service [were] fine [and] the [steaks] were cooked perfect but I’m still f****** p***** off that you made us wait. [We’re] on holiday and paying your [staff’s] wages so don’t expect to be kept waiting. P*** take.”

The owner apologises again for the delay and says “it’s a saving grace that you waited in a beautiful part of the world and enjoyed the food and service. Thanks for coming in, and once again apologies for the delay in seating you. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Wales.”

The customer asks if that’s the best the restaurant can do and accuses the owner of “getting cocky”.

“Are you not gonna give me a free meal or some money back for the wait? Let’s be straight you either give us a free meal or the money back or [I’m] gonna report you to Tripadvisor, [it’s] your choice."

They add: "F*** you I’ll just write a s*** review and f*** up your business".

The restaurant then invites the customer to “do your worst”.

People have leapt to the restaurant’s defence, congratulating them for their response to the irate customer.

“Achieving a Tripadvisor certificate is not a benchmark for us.”

The customer continues to swear at the owner and threatens to tell their friends about the experience.

“You kept me and my wife waiting for 5 minutes. That doesn’t happen in [Wetherspoons] and you’re double the price," the customer writes.

The post has attracted 13,000 comments.