It doesn't seem long ago that Chewton Place went into liquidation just before Christmas in 2011 taking the deposits and final payments of many heartbroken couples with them.

I was delighted to help Lauren Lane (now Mrs Welch) have her dream wedding in 2012 despite losing £4500 when the venue closed. Luckily some very kind wedding suppliers pulled together to make the wedding happen. You can read about it here.

Former employee Rebecca Bozeat-Manzi took over running weddings at Chewton Place as Bozeat Palmer Contracts but has been forced to leave by the owners who are thought to be applying for a change of use for the building. A statement on the website reads,


"The directors of Longcap Developments Limited, the owners and Landlords of Chewton Place are forcing us to leave by 10th April 2013 meaning that we will not be able to run your wedding at Chewton Place. We asked Longcap for an extension and even agreed to a higher rent to allow time for you to make other arrangements for your wedding. Yesterday we applied for a postponement on compassionate grounds in the courts but in the face of Longcap’s solicitor’s opposition, the law could not help. Finally last night David Long confirmed to me that Simon Caple would not allow any extension."

                                

This has all come as a great shock to us. We knew that Longcap had abandoned the outstanding works on the property and had refused to grant a lease on the terms we had been lead to believe we had agreed and understood.

However we now are given to believe that Longcap may be applying for planning permission for a change of use of the property, David Long having confirmed to me that they had “given up on Chewton Place in its current use”."

One positive change compared to last time is that current operators are planning to refund any deposits paid allowing couples to move their wedding to a new venue without a large financial loss. They ask couples to email their details to [email protected] to arrange a refund by cheque or bank transfer.

If you are a couple affected by this the following venues currently have availability this Spring/Summer and I will be updating the list regularly. If you are a local venue with availability please get in touch.

Venues with Spring/Summer Availability

Almonry Barn -New wedding venue near Taunton
Berwick Lodge -Bristol

Old Down Manor www.olddownmanor.co.uk

If you need any help searching for a new venue or moving your wedding, please get in touch by emailing

Related Posts

Chewton Place Weddings in Doubt (December 2011)

Chewton Place Weddings Back on Track (January 2012)

Lauren and Daniel: The Wedding Saved by Twitter

Chewton Place have confirmed that  Weddings can now go ahead at the venue for new bookings and for those who have not already relocated  Weddings previously booked with Aspire Venues.


The venue had previously closed its doors after previous landlord Aspire Venues went into voluntary administration, sadly meaning many engaged couples deposits and payments being used to pay creditors.


Chewton Place have told us "The landlords of Chewton Place are in negotiation with a new company who are looking to take over the business at Chewton Place and with the intention of continuing to run weddings, special events and conferences from Chewton Place and talks at this stage look very promising.  We do understand this has been a very worrying a stressful time for the bride and grooms let down by Aspire Venues, all of whom have been contacted by the new company and are being constantly updated by them".

Local company Aspire Venues has collapsed leaving the future of it's local Wedding venues in question. Aspire Venues owns Chewton Place in Keynsham as well as Brockley Combe Manor and Eastington Hall in Stroud.

All of the companies websites are currently down and phones are not being answered meaning uncertainty for couples with Weddings booked at any of these venues. A recorded message at Chewton Place states that the venue is in negotiation with  another company to potentially take over the business, which would come as a massive relief for those with imminent Weddings.


                                                     

However uncomfirmed reports on social media suggest that Weddings in January have already been cancelled. Longleat venue Homewood Park, which is located 6 miles from Bath has offered to help couples relocate their Weddings if they have availability.

Bristol Wedding Planner Steph Allison of How 2 I Do Wedding Planning is also offering a discounted recovery package to anyone having to relocate their Wedding at short notice due to the closure of these venues. This includes finding a new venue, contacting all suppliers, liaising with the new venue and coordinating on the day. Con if you need any help or support.