Hundreds of revellers could be forced to cancel their Christmas parties after a Kingston bar closed without warning.

About 20 office and birthday parties were booked for Tamesis in the Rotunda in the run- up to Christmas before it was shut by landlord Spirit Pub Company in a dispute with the bar manager.

Two teenagers planning a joint 18th birthday party were shocked to discover the bar had closed four days before their celebration.

Esher College students Rachel Peacock and Stephanie Dion-Jones spent months planning decorations, invites for 140 guests and a black-and-white dress code for their bash on Sunday, November 13.

The Teddington teen’s mother, Anne Peacock, said: “They were so excited about it. A lot of people at college were excited about it.

“At first, she thought it was a hoax. She was just devastated because she has taken so long to find a venue.

“She was despondent and shocked.

“They are turning 18. It was a really unpleasant introduction to the real world.

“On the night itself some of her friends took her out for dinner to make up for it, which was really nice, but it was not the same.”

Owner Paul Winten said he was unable to see the bookings diary to notify organisers they would have to make alternate plans, after landlord Spirit Pub Company locked him out.

Mr Winten, 50, said: “If I can pay [customers] back, I will do. That’s the very least I can do. If I can’t for any reason, what I will have to do is put on some kind of function with complimentary food and drink to try to pay them back that way.

“At the end of the day, these are my customers and without them I am nothing.”

A spokesman for Spirit Pub Company said: “Unfortunately we were forced to forfeit the lease of the previous operator and secure the premises.

“We are currently reviewing our options and aim to reopen the premises as soon as is possible.”