Closed Weston Hall wedding venue is taken over

A landmark wedding venue in Staffordshire which closed suddenly is to reopen after being taken over by new owners, it emerged today.

Weston Hall, near Stafford, has been shut since February, leaving couples who had booked ceremonies frantically trying to rearrange their big day.

But the 16th century hotel, which includes a restaurant, has been taken over by a new company which will refurbish it and relaunch it in autumn.

Work on transforming the Grade II listed building in Weston is now under way and will aim to maintain original features while bringing it "back into the limelight".

The identity of the new owners has not yet been revealed but the restoration is to include transforming the first and third floors and creating luxury bedrooms.

A statement issued on the Weston Hall website said: "We are in the process of re-establishing Weston Hall as the successful wedding and event venue such a beautiful building deserves to be.

"We are currently carrying out extensive refurbishments to the building.

"The decor will be tasteful, stylish and in keeping with Weston Hall's original features.

"We want to get everything right, so we're taking our time to ensure a perfect finish.

"We are very excited to bring Weston Hall back into the limelight."

Open days for prospective customers will be held on September 29 and 30 and inquiries can now be made bookings for weddings and events in 2013.

Barbara Swift, landlady of the nearby Saracen's Head, said: "It is such a beautiful building and it needs to be used, it was such as shame when it closed.

"It is really pretty and you can understand why people would want a wedding there."

By Craig Hughes