'Heartbreak' as historical West Country venue to shut

Locals say they are heartbroken after Dillington House revealed it will close its doors later this year. The much-loved 16th-century venue near Ilminster runs adult education courses, music events, weddings, conferences and other corporate events.

The Grade I listed manor near the A303, boasts extensive gardens and 43 en-suite bedrooms across three buildings. It also hosts a huge classic guitar festival that sees talent from across the world descend on the West Country, reports Somerset Live.

Since the pandemic, the venue has been struggling to make ends meet, and it was predicted to lose more than £500,000 over the 2022/2023 financial year. It has never regained the pre-coronavirus business it previously enjoyed.

In September 2022, Somerset County Council decided to end its operations at Dillington House in a bid to prevent further losses for taxpayers. Now the venue, which has more than 30 staff, has confirmed "with heavy hearts" that it will close its doors in September 2023, adding that it is known what will become of the facility.

The closure has been labelled "a tragic loss to the community" and "the end of an era" by locals. They say the decision is "very sad news".

A statement from Dillington House reads: "We’re sorry to announce that, from September 30, Dillington House will be closing its doors. After much deliberation and with heavy hearts, the decision was made to cease activities at Dillington House.

"Business will carry on as usual until that date, so anything that you have booked to attend before September 30 will still proceed as usual. We are determined to ensure that customers visiting Dillington House throughout 2023 will continue to experience the same high quality of service."

The Dillington House website explains: "Staff will be supported in finding alternative employment, especially within the council where appropriate, to minimise redundancies. A staff retention scheme has been agreed to incentivise and reward those employees who continue to work at Dillington until it ceases operation.

"On September 30, the main house and surrounding buildings will be handed back to the landlords, who own the surrounding Dillington Estate. We don’t have any further information at this point on future plans for the house."

Locals 'heartbroken' as 'second-to-none' Dillington House closes

Reacting to the news on social media, Cat Inahat said: "As the home of the classic guitar festival - the acoustics in the coach room were amazing. Year after year, the most amazing talent from around the world performed five concerts over five nights alongside tutoring during the day. Culturally, a total loss to the area."

Angelina Domenica said: "Yet another cultural arts and education venue of high quality that will leave a gaping hole in the potential for people to improve their knowledge skills and understanding in the widest areas of interest and academia. Beautiful building, tutors always brilliant, talks so enlightening, staff always so professional, welcoming and efficient.

"The quality of courses is always exemplary, and as a hosting venue for training, it is second to none. Tragic loss to the local and wider community."

Michael Farley said: "This is so sad. I have such happy memories of Dillington from when I lived in Somerset, either attending shows and exhibitions, or doing my own Henry VIII shows there over many years. Sadly, it is the end of an era."

Susan Dymock added: "I am heartbroken. I have been on some wonderful courses here over the years, I am on a residential at the moment and enjoying every second. Dillington is a magical, special place that offers such opportunities to learn that will not now be available. I feel so sorry for the staff, who are always so diligent and kind."

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