Your Herefordshire have been contacted by a number of couples affected by the potential liquidation of a Herefordshire wedding venue.
“Couple N” said:
“We received no contact from the venue throughout pandemic. We contacted them early September to express concerns over government restrictions that were still in place and asked for advice and options.
“The venue failed to respond for 3 weeks. We chased again stating disappointment in their service and that the CMA guidelines mean their contract performance for our October date had been disrupted and we must have response and options from them. Our contracted guests of 51 and evening of 65 had been fully paid for including room bookings which our guests funded – this included full use of venue including reception room for dancing etc, which was of course banned.
“Immediate family and wedding party were unable to make the postponed event due to government restrictions.
“The venue made changes to areas of the property which affected the original venue purpose for our wedding, due to them pivoting to become accommodation for holidays to recover post COVID-19.
“The venue again failed to respond to mail and calls. I emailed them, saying that the law currently meant that our wedding would be half of what was contracted with them initially and that their poor services was causing stress and anxiety as we were only 5 weeks away from the second arranged wedding day.
“Eventually venue responded with no social distance guidelines for the ceremony or meal – for example government rules that each table should be household bubbles which the venue size could not cater for.
“They ignored our request of options but said if we had to postpone again they could offer a date. We responded saying that we will not pay £600 again to postpone as they could not deliver our contracted event and that they had still failed to provide further options and guidance. We also stated we would seek legal advice further to recover our costs as they had not responded either to our frustrated contract suggestion. They did not reply again for 12 days.
“Lemore failed to provide information on meal and accommodation refunds should we have gone ahead with a smaller wedding. They refused to take calls and began to ignore our mails. They also refused to respond regarding any form of refund despite being unable to host our event.
“Many couples began to contact me after I left online reviews and comments that they were handling weddings poorly. Lemore eventually shut down their Facebook and disabled comments on other platforms to prevent the feedback.
“Lemore continued to take money from other couples despite knowing they were unable to handle their events. Staff left due to poor treatment at Lemore during this time – much of this mentioned in the Facebook support group. A small couples group stayed in touch to support each other, approximately 15 couples from early 2020 but now with many more.
“We noticed that Lemore set up a new company registration last year, so predicted they would liquidate Lemore and just transfer the assets therefore continuing as normal with the venue, not paying back the hundreds of thousands of pounds they owe and not delivering the weddings they had promised. Eventually this did happen.
“Lemore’s management have been rude, dismissive, ignorant and immoral throughout our experience with them. We spent £14000 with them, claiming £10000 back luckily via our insurance.
“It’s heart breaking to learn of the recent couples handing over their life savings with Lemore knowing they were to liquidate the company owning those contracts. Many of the couples due to be married so soon, even some who are expecting babies.”
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A number of couples have claimed that they may have lost thousands of pounds after Herefordshire wedding venue Lemore Manor reportedly cancelled their weddings, with some just a few weeks away.
A group of people have taken to social media to share their experience after receiving a letter from Opus Restructuring LLP who are said to be assisting with the formalities of placing the company into liquidation.
A letter sent to couples that had booked their big day with Fine Manor Events Limited said:
“We regret to inform you that the Directors of the Fine Manor Events Limited, (“the Company”) having explored all options including re-financing or a managed sale of part or all of the business, have formally engaged Opus Restructuring LLP (“Opus”) to assist with the formalities of placing the Company into liquidation.
“The global health pandemic and commercial and social lock down of the last 18 months has drastically and catastrophically affected its business. Having explored all realistic options to try and save the business, the directors have reluctantly concluded a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation is now the only viable option. Accordingly, Opus has been instructed to assist the Directors in the convening and holding of the meetings to commence the Liquidation. Please find attached to this email formal Notice of the meeting of creditors scheduled for 19 October 2021. It is appreciated that there are a number of events booked for the remainder of the year and into 2022 which will be affected by this closure and we will be working closely with creditors and other stakeholders throughout the process.
“The proof of debt form should be received at this office no later than 4 P.M. on the business day before the virtual meeting. The proxy form will need to be delivered to the convener before it may be used at the virtual meeting. Please be aware that if sending documents by email they will not be deemed received until 9 A.M. the next business day unless the contrary is shown.
“Please click here for Formal Notice of the appointment of Joint Liquidators. Please forward any queries to FME@opusllp.com. Notice to customers regarding credit and debit cards. If you have made a deposit for or paid for goods or services by credit or debit card and the goods or services are not going to be received by the due date, you may be able to get your money back by claiming a refund from your card issuer. Please contact your card issuer as soon as you can if this may apply to you. Further information including on time limits that apply is available from the UK Cards Association Credit and debit cards: A consumer guide.”
A number of affected couples have joined a group on Facebook called ‘Lemore Manor – COVID affected couples’ and have been sharing their experiences.
One of the affected members of the public called Kirsty said:
“We are due to get married in December. Any updates would be appreciated.”
Megan was due to get married in two weeks time and said:
“We were due to get married in 2 weeks so are now absolutely screwed! I don’t even know where to start with getting money back/booking somewhere new. I am heartbroken!”
