Heartbroken Cannock couple in wedding despair over Patshull Hall crisis
A heartbroken couple due to get married at financially-crippled Patshull Hall have spoken of their despair at being "left in limbo" and possibly without a venue for their special day.
The landmark wedding venue went into administration earlier this week and potential buyers are being sought.
Cannock couple Jeff Chilton and Samantha Jones are due to get married on August 24 and booked Patshull Hall as their wedding venue 14 months ago.
They say they have shelled out almost £5,000 on their big day, paying the venue £2,000 just two weeks ago.
But they received a phone call informing them they might not be able to hold their wedding at the venue, which is based near Pattingham.
Theirs is one of 29 booked at the venue between now and September.
Administrators say ceremonies will only go ahead "if at all feasible" and the couple, who both work as student support staff with Mr Chilton at the University of Aston and Miss Jones at the University of Wolverhampton, say their insurers won't yet secure them a new venue.
That's because Patshull Hull could be taken over by another company between now and August, meaning the wedding could go ahead as planned.
But if the company goes into liquidation then their wedding plans will be in tatters.
Mr Chilton, aged 30, said he and 27-year-old Miss Jones would struggle to find an alternative venue at short notice as August 24 falls on bank holiday weekend.
Administrators have told Mr Chilton he should know one way or the other what will happen by the end of this month.
A helpline – 0121 352 6233 – has been set up for people with bookings.
