'Venue closure means we won't get married at all'

A woman has said she and her fiancé "will not be able to get married at all" as they face losing almost £4,000 after their wedding venue suddenly closed.

Lorraine Slight and Adam Goldwater were due to get married at Slater's Country Inn and Hotel in Baldwin's Gate, Staffordshire, in June.

But a notice posted outside the venue confirmed it had ceased trading after 35 years in business and Slight said the couple would struggle to re-arrange the wedding because of the financial loss.

The BBC has been unable to contact the owners of the venue for further comment.

Slight, who lives with her partner in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, told BBC Radio Stoke she first heard the news of the closure an hour after a call with her make-up artist for the wedding.

"Our hearts just sunk, we didn't know what to do," she said.

"It's left us really clueless about what to do. I just had a day of ringing people to get some information."

The couple, who did not have wedding insurance, paid £3,815 for their special day and Slight said the potential loss could hamper any plans to re-arrange the wedding.

"We won't be able to get married at all," she added. "We're so gutted, we would love to get married and we were so excited."

They have tried to contact the venue, Slight added, but they have not been able to get hold of anyone.

She said they had been in touch with Citizens' Advice, which told them to contact the administrators as soon as possible.

The closure came after the pair fell in love with the venue's scenery, Slight said, and initially they felt like they were getting a lot for the money they were paying.

A closure notice has been put up outside Slater's confirming trading ceased on Sunday.

It said the directors and staff extended their "heartfelt thanks" to customers for their "loyalty, friendship and support".

"It has been a privilege to serve you and we are deeply grateful for the relationships built over so many years," it added.

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