Builders working on constructing a Premier Inn hotel in Tolworth are facing Christmas on a shoestring after they were told to pack up their tools without being paid – with some losing out on thousands of pounds.

About 20 workers were building the budget hotel at the former Tolworth Garage site when sub-contracted company Emtrade unexpectedly suspended all works and told the builders to leave last week.

When they checked their bank accounts, the builders claim their monthly pay – largely ranging between £1,000 and £2,000 - had not been paid by the company.

The workers, many of whom have children, say they now face a “disastrous” budget Christmas, with some having to cancel hard-earned nights out and gift ideas.

Tuesday, August 4: Five-storey Premier Inn proposed for garage site near Tolworth station

Crane supervisor John Bain, 49, made the 160-mile round trip from his home in Kent for the last few months to work on the project.

He said: “It’s a disaster - I’ve nearly maxed out my credit card just trying to pay my bills. It became like a playground.

“It was all fine. Maybe they would be late by a day or two but it was all okay. They just said ‘we’ve run out of money’. I’ve turned down other work to do this.

“Why would you not pay people for Christmas? These are people on minimum wage.

"I was going to go out with my friends in New Malden, but now I’ll just have to stay in my flat until the end of this year.”

Surrey Comet:

The former Tolworth Garage site

Premier Inn owners Whitbread Plc secured permission to demolish Tolworth Garage, in Kingston Road, and build a five-storey, 118-room hotel last year.

The budget hotel chain charges an average price of just £54-per-night for a room in central London.

Building contractor JJ Rhatigans - employed by Premier Inn’s owners to manage the site - hired Emtrade to undertake some of the work, but have been unable to contact the company since being made aware of claims.

Paul Byrne, 45, of Potters Grove, in New Malden, said he is owed about £1,400.

He said: “We were working as normal and the Friday they just came around and said everybody pack up your tools and go.

“We went the bank. There was no money and no explanation. It’s just a bit bizarre really.

"I’m going to have a bit of a tight Christmas and now I’ve got to go and find more work.”

Dennis Somerfield, 71, of Badminton Road, in Clapham, said: “There was a couple of little hiccups but we always got paid.

“Things you were going to get, you don’t get to get now do you? I’m more worried about the people who have got kids."

Surrey Comet:

The workers' wages range roughly from £1,000 to £2,000 for the month

A spokesman for Premier Inn said the comapny was taking the issue “extremely seriously” and that Emtrade has “let down” the employees.

A JJ Rhatigans spokesman said: “Emtrade have suspended works on site without any notice to JJ Rhatigans. JJ Rhatigans are awaiting on return correspondence from Emtrade on their status. Nothing has been received to date.”