A couple's wedding plans have "literally gone up in flames" as Thornton Manor reportedly refused to refund £5,000 after a fire ripped through the venue.
Neil Finch, 45, and Becky Nickson, 30, were due to tie the knot on October 30 this year - but following a blaze at the Thornton Hough venue, were forced to postpone.
The couple claimed they had to "chase" Thornton Manor after seeing the venue had gone up in flames on the news.
READ MORE: Pub shootout caught on CCTV as thugs shoot each other with the same gun
Neil and Becky booked the venue back in February 2020 and said they "fell in love" when they first walked around the Manor.
Now, they said their dream day has turned into "nothing but trouble".
Neil, who is from Stockport, told The ECHO : "We saw it [the fire] on the news and through word of mouth. The DJ we booked actually called us and told us what had happened.
"But we didn't once hear from Thornton Manor about the fire and it was us who had to chase them and ask what was going on."
Becky added: "We would have had more respect for them if they just sent us a message or an email explaining what they could offer.
"It took us to message them to then find out they wouldn't pay out, as the terms and conditions specifically say they won't if there's a fire."
When the couple heard Thornton Manor would not be paying back their £5,000 payment, they went straight to their wedding insurance company. They also said they would not be able to pay out.
In a final attempt to get their money back the couple went to their credit card company, who also wouldn't pay out as "too many days had passed" since they made the payment.
Becky said: "We are heartbroken and frustrated, we absolutely fell in love with Thornton Manor and now we're having to push back out wedding because we just don't have the money.
"£5,000 is a lot of money for us, it could take years for us to be able to afford something else. We're trying to buy a house.
"Now, we're not getting our wedding and they can't offer us anything else. It's just not fair."
The couple are now looking to submit a claim to the small claims court over the £5,000 they have lost.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service called the fire a "challenging incident" on February 5, as fire crews battled the fire through the night and into Sunday.
A spokesperson has since said investigations into the fire are underway.
Thornton Manor have been contacted for comment.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
