I was barred from a restaurant – and now I can’t use my voucher

I’d asked for our favourite seats, but when we arrived other diners were sitting there

I have been going to an expensive French restaurant in central London for years. I always ask for a favourite window seat and, prior to our last visit, popped in an hour before to confirm. When we arrived other diners were sitting there. We politely asked for the table and, after a rather awkward discussion, the diners were moved. We later spoke to the owner to complain, and thought no more about it – until I tried to book a table using an £85 prepaid voucher and was told I am no longer welcome. So I am stuck with a voucher for a restaurant from which I have been barred. PO,Twickenham

Ask yourself whether your behaviour has been entirely appropriate. The restaurant – we are deliberately not naming it – says you behaved appallingly, in effect forcing the other diners to move. After this, and later conversations, the owner decided you are not welcome.