Venue reprieve for couples after weddings setback

Couples who were left devastated after their wedding venue suddenly went into liquidation are being offered a helping hand by Coventry Registry Office.

The Hare & Hounds pub in the city's Keresley area closed in January. One groom, whose ceremony and reception were due to be held there, told the BBC he had lost £7,000 as a result.

However, Coventry Registry Office has been in touch with five disappointed couples, offering them the same dates and times for their original ceremonies in its own Black Prince room, and free of charge too.

Sharon Hill, ceremony coordinator at Coventry City Council, said four out of the five couples had accepted the offer, while one couple had postponed their wedding.

"I think it was just a shock to everybody," Hill said of the pub's closure.

"I think there was a wedding reception there on New Year's Eve and I think that took place - and then obviously doors closed and we knew nothing about it."

Andy Bordley used money his late mother left him to pay for his ceremony and reception at The Hare & Hounds.

Speaking to the BBC after the liquidation, he said: "I'm devastated, myself and my partner. I haven't wanted to face anyone. It's just disgusting how it's all been dealt with."

He and his partner are one of the four couples that have since accepted the council's offer of the Black Prince room for the ceremony portion of their special day.

All five couples had booked their ceremonies via the council's registry office, which have also been refunded by the authority.

Last year, more than 800 weddings were officiated at the registry office.

Speaking about her love of the job, Hill said: "I've worked for the council for 38 years and in this environment for nine years.

"Honestly it's amazing. There's never a day you don't want to come into work."

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