A wedding venue that drew criticism for its treatment of customers after a fire has paid out to several couples, the ECHO understands.
Popular venue Thornton Manor was devastated by a fire in February last year which resulted in a number of cancelled or rearranged weddings. The Wirral -based venue, in Thornton Hough, came under heavy criticism in the following months from couples hoping to be married there.
Thornton Holdings Ltd, the operator of Thornton Manor and the estate, said it could not afford to refund people following the fire. The ECHO heard from several couples who had booked the grand manor house for prices up to around £11,000.
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Out of pocket couples said the business had offered to move future weddings from the fire-damaged house to the onsite marquees. But Thornton Manor had been ordered by Wirral Council's Planning Inspectorate to remove all marquees by the end of July following a 10-year dispute.
An ECHO investigation in June 2022 found Thornton Manor had continued to book weddings in the marquees past the ordered date for their removal. Customers were left without an option for their big day following the marquees removal.
Thornton Manor told customers to contact their insurance as a means of receiving their lost money. But the ECHO understands several couples lodged small claims appeals against Thornton Manor regarding the lack of service.
One couple were due to wed in July last year after already having their original date pushed back due to the covid pandemic. The pair, who have since been married elsewhere, paid around £9,500 for the venue and accommodation.
Following the fire the couple, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, were offered to move to a marquee. But they turned down the move as well as the offer to hold the wedding in the future after the repairs at the venue.
The couple had a small claims court appearance set for the start of December 2022. But the couple added Thornton Manor paid out a full refund and court fees the day before their court date.
The ECHO understands Thornton Manor has paid out to several other couples in the days before their court appearances. The manor house is currently undergoing a refurbishment following the fire.
The ECHO approached Thornton Manor for comment but received no response.
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