OktoberFest London Cancelled ‘30-Minutes’ Before Opening Due To 'Unforeseen Circumstances'

Bad news for London-based lederhosen fans - the UK’s very own version of Oktoberfest has been binned at the last minute due to “operational issues”.

In a brief statement at 11.40am, the event’s venue, Tobacco Dock, tweeted: “Due to operational issues identified last night the decision has been made to cancel all further @OktoberFestLDN sessions.”

OktoberFest London emailed ticket holders with the news, but many were already en route to the venue.

The latest statement from the company is that the event has been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”, and “the company is accessing[sic] the situation and further information will be provided as and when it becomes available”.

Confusingly, the separate but very similarly named London Oktoberfest is going ahead as planned this afternoon in Canary Wharf.

The axed event had promised four days of “everything that makes Oktoberfest, held in the wooden halls of Tobacco Dock.

"We’ll have live music, full Oktoberfest decoration and thousands of people going crazy for the authentic Oktoberfest experience.

"Along with steins, you’ll get the best German food catered by the award-winning Herman Ze German.”

Disgruntled Oktoberfest London ticket-holders, some of whom had come dressed in traditional lederhosen, were extremely disappointed by this turn of events.

Some paid £60 for a premium pass, including unlimited steins, a Bavarian feast and a guaranteed seat. VIP tables were also available at a cost of £1,000.

Many have taken to Twitter to voice their disappointment.

While the official reasons for the cancellation have yet to be revealed, feedback from last night’s punters gives a pretty good idea, with talk of epic queues and general poor organisation.

Ticket holders are being advised to contact @OktoberfestLDN for details on how to get a refund.

[Pic: REX]