CUSTOM House at Poole Quay has suddenly closed for business.

The company, which is a bar and restaurant and caters for weddings and other functions, announced the closure on its website on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the company told the Daily Echo the owner Mark Heffer had decided to “leave the hospitality trade to concentrate on other business interests”.

“After 21 years of trading, the Custom House Bar and Restaurant has now closed,” the spokesman said. “We would like to thank all our customers over the years who have been able to enjoy great times eating, drinking and celebrating special events with us.”

But the owner has come under fire for failing to provide sufficient notice of its closure to paying customers - one of whom had planned her wedding to be held there on June 9.

Gemma Gallacher, 24, who is set to marry fiancé Sean Carmichael, 29, received an email stating the site would be closed with no explanation. The couple have been engaged for seven years and have an eight-month-old son Joshua.

Miss Gallacher, of Branksome, told the Daily Echo: “I’m at panic station.

“It’s not a massive wedding - only 30 guests or so - but it’s the fact it has been booked for months, and everything else is booked.

“We’re kind of scrambling,” she said.

“It’s a real shame because we fell in love with it. It was going to be an intimate wedding right on the Quay.”

Ms Gallacher and Mr Carmichael will marry at the Guildhall but are now desperately trying to find a venue for the reception.

She said: “I’m not even from this area - I don’t know anywhere. People are saying ‘try this place and this place’ and they’re all booked up because people book up to two years in advance.

“I’m sure we will find somewhere but I don’t want to just pick anywhere.”

Poole BID director, Helen Challis, said: “It is a shame to see the Custom House close.

“We have all enjoyed its warm hospitality over the years.

“The business owner has worked with his staff to give them the best chance to secure alternative employment ahead of a busy summer rather than close later in the year.

“There are no plans as yet for the building. He remains passionate about Poole so I am sure the right decisions will emerge in time. We wish him well in his future ventures.”

Kate Ryan, Borough of Poole strategic director, said: “Located in the heart of our historic town, the Custom House is valued by many residents and visitors to the area and we hope to see it open again soon.

“The council is committed to regenerating the town centre. It is working with partners to secure a step change in the offer, to encourage more leisure and enhanced retail which in turn will bring increased footfall to the town. The council is also supporting Poole BID to deliver their plans to improve the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre, including Poole Quay, over the coming years.”