Couples’ wedding plans were thrown into chaos after a popular venue suddenly shut down, leaving many to only find out via Facebook.
The Best Western Preston Leyland Hotel announced it is closing this Monday, despite seemingly operating as usual only a few weeks back.
Only two weeks ago the site’s Facebook’s page was still advertising for wedding bookings.
This has left those with bookings, stays and functions cancelled at short notice.
Which for some soon-to-be newlyweds has left them suddenly without a venue to host their wedding, LancsLive reported .
A number of people reported online that they had had their weddings cancelled.
Whilst they were told they will receive a full refund, it’s a blow for the loved up couples who now see their big days in jeopardy.
Barbara Gillibrand was due to marry her fiance Paul Hazzard in September next year, but now has been forced to find an alternative venue.
She only found out via Facebook and had to ring the hotel for confirmation.
She said no reason was given for the closure, with one staff member saying they had been advised of the closure by the hotel's head office late last night.
She said: "I found out via Facebook post that the hotel was closing it doors on Monday 4th April.
“I immediately called the hotel and was apologised to for finding out this way but basically they are not doing anymore weddings for the foreseeable.
"I advised my wedding is in September 2023 and was told they have no confirmed date of whether they are or will be opening again.
“I asked when they planned to contact me and they advised they are working through a list and would have got round to me eventually they are working on this years bookings first."
Despite the blow, Barbara thinks she was one of the lucky ones as she has time to make new plans.
But others she worried had much less time to try and reorganise at a time when wedding venues were dealing with a backlog built up during the pandemic.
There is also no timeframe on when refunds will be issued.
Barbara, who works at a mortgage advisors in Preston, said: "They have advised we should get a full refund and will try and support couples in finding new venues but that is all they can do at the moment.
“She couldn’t tell me how to get my money back and said she would pass my details on and I will be contacted in due course."
It is not yet clear what the future holds for the hotel or its staff but the situation appears to mirror that of the Park Hall Hotel in nearby Charnock Richard.
In that case, staff were given just one day’s notice of the impending closure and the hotel locked its gates as the final guests left the next morning.
Those with weddings and functions booked were given no notice and are still battling to receive refunds from the new ownership, while the hotel briefly reopened for a club night earlier this month.
Best Western have been approached for comment.
