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Weddings to resume at cultural venues in Wolverhampton

Cultural venues in Wolverhampton will host weddings again from this weekend.

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Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bantock House and City Archives will reopen for marriages and civil ceremonies – after measures were introduced ensuring they can take place in line with Government social distancing guidance.

Wolverhampton Council has set new capacities for each of the venues. Including the couple taking part in the ceremony, Wolverhampton Art Gallery will allow 28 attendees, Bantock House Drawing Room four attendees, Bantock Coach House 28 attendees and City Archives four attendees.

Before the ceremony, couples will receive guidance on what to expect when they arrive at the venue. They will also have a video call meeting with the registrar to conduct the pre-ceremony checks prior to the marriage or civil partnership.

One-way systems will operate at the venues which will also have sanitising stations. Screening questions will be asked on arrival and guests will be informed of the new procedures.

Registrars will deliver simple ceremonies and venues are unable to offer catering at this time.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “We understand that this has been a difficult time for couples who have had to reschedule or cancel their wedding. However, we are delighted to be able to reopen our venues to allow small ceremonies and civil partnerships to take place.

“Measures have been put in place to ensure the ceremonies are safe for staff, the couple and guests.”

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bantock House and City Archives will be open for ceremonies only from August 1. Plans to reopen the venues for the wider public will be announced in due course.