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Burger & Lobster’s new Cardiff restaurant has caused a storm after posting a picture of a family who allegedly left without paying online.

In a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, the company alleged a group of four people had left without paying.

“To this family that walked out tonight without paying their bill, we are sure this was just a ‘mistake’ and you completely forgot, so out of the goodness of your heart please call the restaurant tomorrow to pay the bill. Thanks.”

The restaurant later deleted the photo but not before more than 600 people had commented on it. The tone of the post was not well received by many of the restaurant's more than 2,700 fans.

In a statement issued later in the day, the restaurant confirmed the family had returned to pay in full.

Francesca Coles wrote: “People make mistakes like this all the time, especially if there is a few of them. I’ve had to go back and pay after leaving and realising. Not a very professional approach by this food chain if these customers have left in error!

“I don’t like the way in which you operate and puts me off ever coming into your establishment! Disgusting!”

Oliver Price agreed: “Genuinely a disgrace posting this on a social media platform.

“If this is a mistake and they come back and pay how are you going to ‘re inform’ everyone who saw this that they made a genuine error. Terrific social faux par here.”

And Mink Kleekai added: “Disgraceful action by the restaurant, they have given this family little time to make amends before trying to publicly shame them on social media.

“Totally unprofessional management of this situation, which makes you wonder if the front and back of house are also mismanaged.”

Some people claimed to have cancelled their bookings following the post, however, a number of posters said the restaurant was right to shame the group.

A Burger & Lobster spokeswoman said: "The Facebook post was made with the intention of encouraging the guest in question to come back and pay for their mistake to rectify the loss for the business.

"It wasn’t done with the purpose of naming and shaming anyone as we are well aware that these things happen!

"As a company we take our social media policy seriously - it was posted at a local level and has now been removed.

"The police have been involved and we have taken the usual & necessary steps for walk-outs.

"The table in question has now come forward and paid their bill so thank you to those who provided us with any information.

"We have taken the decision to donate the money from the bill payment to the charity Safer Wales."

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However, South Wales Police said Burger & Lobster had not reported the incident to them.

Situated on Cardiff’s The Hayes in the old Habitat building, the 300-seater restaurant has only three items on the menu - the option of a burger, lobster or a lobster roll with fries and salad, with everything priced £20.