The move has been labelled as 'completely unacceptable'

A popular Cardiff restaurant and bar has cancelled all their Christmas bookings on the night that tens of thousands of people will descend on the Welsh capital for the long-awaited contest between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

The Slug & Lettuce, on St Mary Street, has contacted those with bookings to tell them the venue will close to the public from 3/4pm on Friday, December 11. Groups have been encouraged to move their bookings to earlier in the day, to a different date, or to one of the sister bars.

However, one person who placed a booking for 10 people four weeks ago, on September 17, said the sister sites had no availability and they didn't want to go elsewhere anyway. Due to the boxing and the proximity to Christmas, the group are now struggling to find anywhere still accepting bookings. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

"To turn around on October 13 and say what they have said is completely unacceptable," they said.

"There must be hundreds of people who have been inconvenienced by this, and of course there is nothing available elsewhere for people to book now.

"It's really messed up our plans, and a lot of other people's as well."

A Stonegate spokesman said: “We can confirm that Slug & Lettuce Cardiff Central on St Mary Street will be closed to the public between 5pm and 11pm on Friday December 11.

"We appreciate the inconvenience this has caused guests with existing bookings and sincerely apologise for the disruption.

"All affected guests have been contacted directly by our team and offered alternative arrangements, including the option to book at another nearby venue or rearrange their visit for a different date.”