Wedding woe as Patshull Hall goes into receivership

Patshull Hall at Burnhill Green near Pattingham called in administrative receivers BDO LLP to deal with the business's finances and have been calling brides-and-grooms-to-be to break the news.

A total of 29 weddings are booked at the venue between now and September and administrators say ceremonies will only go ahead 'if at all feasible'.

BDO say they are now seeking potential buyers for the venue and, in the meantime, a help-line has been set up for people with bookings.

Kim Rayment, BDO business restructuring partner, said: "Our first priority is to establish what wedding and conference bookings are in place and to contact all those with upcoming events. If it is at all feasible, we will endeavour to ensure the bookings and events take place to avoid any unnecessary disruption.

"Our ultimate goal will be to reach the best outcome for the creditors of the company. This will involve marketing the property and business as a going concern, or a sale of the assets.

"Whilst we do this, we aim to ensure that it will be business as usual at Patshull Hall, and we would encourage anyone concerned about their booking to contact Patshull Hall direct."

Richard Perkins of Compton, Wolverhampton, is due to get married to fiancée Clare Stokes at the Grade 1 listed hall in August and stands to lose around £5,000 if it does not go ahead.

Mr Perkins, aged 34, who works at Wolverhampton College, said: "It feels like a kick in the teeth. It's almost like a dream because it doesn't seem to be happening.

"To get a phone call five months before you're due to get married and told by accountants to sit tight while they make a decision is shocking – it's devastating."

Pattingham florist Ann Raymond said it was very sad to hear of the uncertainty around the wedding venue.

"It's sad when any company is under threat, but more so when it involves weddings," she said. "It is one beautiful venue and I have supplied flowers to them over the years but not so much in the last four to five years."

The only comment staff from the venue would make today was to state no weddings had yet been cancelled. The help line number is 0121 352 6233.

Have you been affected by this news? Contact the Express & Star newsdesk at newsdesk@expressandstar.co.uk