FAMILIES who had booked tables at The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold, turned up for lunch on Christmas Day – only to find the pub and restaurant had been shut by the receivers. But other pubs in the area stepped in to make sure there was room at the inn, when the customers were left stranded with nowhere else to go at Christmas. The landlord of The Crown on the village green had taken payments in full for the meals right up until a week before Christmas, even though he had known the business was to close, according to locals. One family of seven handed over £346.50 up front when they were told it was needed "to secure the booking". Nicola Steed said: "We were so excited to have arranged something, as we had not been together as a family for four years as we had been in South Africa. So this was to be an exciting day for us all. "I spoke to a waiter to make the booking. He offered me a table in the bar area as the restaurant was 'fully booked'. "Then the owner called me to say that he would need payment up-front to 'secure the booking', but could not wait until the weekend. He even read out the entire menu over the phone to me. "I said I would arrange payment and see them on Christmas Day, for pre- dinner drinks. "My husband, Paul went to The Crown Inn on the Wednesday (December 19) to pay for the seven people booking."   She added: "I feel disappointed and aggrieved that the owner could behave in such a manner and with little or no regard for our plight." Mrs Steed, from Liphook, said the family arrived at 12.30pm on Christmas Day to find the pub in darkness. They thought at first, they were too early, but there were no other cars in the car park. The Steed party then went to The Swan a few doors away to find out if they knew anything – to be told there, they had known for a month, the owner of The Crown had gone into receivership. "They were so kind to us and could see how mortified we were. We had a nice lunch at The Swan and the owner was extremely accommodating and hospitable." But the family has been left out of pocket as a result, plus, also having to pay out for another meal. Mrs Stead has contacted the receivers, HJS accountants in Southampton, but has not heard anything from them as yet. The Herald has also tried to contact HJS on behalf of the Steeds.  Owner of The Swan hotel and restaurant, Daniel Hall, said: "We knew they (The Crown Inn) were going into receivership for about two months, so I think what they did to take the money was dreadful." He explained, normally The Swan caters for 40 people at Christmas in the restaurant and bar, but because The Crown was due to close, they had decided just to serve meals to 35, leaving the bar area clear for drinkers as extra customers were expected. "Normally we would not have been able to accommodate them, but happily we were able to help." Over at The Prince Of Wales, Hammer Vale, landlord Robbie Northern took in a party of six disappointed diners. Mr Northern said: "I felt very sorry for them. I could not believe the guy at The Crown had taken their money. I didn't want to give the pubs around here a bad name, so it was the least I could do. They had a traditional roast and we gave them crackers and party poppers. They went away very happy and they even left a £20 tip." The Crown Inn is thought to be the oldest pub in Surrey. The earliest reference to the present building was in 1383, although there are claims it is older. The inn has royal links: Edward VI stayed there in 1552 and courtiers and some 4,000 men camped on the village green. Elizabeth I is also said to have stopped at the inn.