Hollinwood couple abandon wedding after lack of communication from hotel chosen to house asylum seekers

Lucy and fiance Dave

A couple from Hollinwood have abandoned their wedding plans after uncertainty about an Oldham hotel.

Lucy Smith and Dave Mac had booked their wedding at the Victoria Hotel in Hollinwood for around 80 guests but  the booking was cancelled by the hotel and they have now abandoned plans to tie the knot.

The Victoria Hotel, on Hollinwood Avenue, has been identified as a location to accommodate asylum seekers by the Home Office, as part of the Government’s obligations under the Refugee Convention.

Lucy and Dave say their booking was cancelled by the venue but no reason was given, and no refund was forthcoming.

“The stress has been making me ill”, Lucy told the Chronicle.  “We read the news about the accommodation of the asylum seekers and were concerned that our wedding booking would be cancelled.

“We’ve tried to get a straight answer from the hotel, to confirm if our booking was safe, but we feel fobbed off.  We had no idea what’s happening and were worried about the £1800 that we’d already paid towards the reception”

Lucy and Dave have now received a full refund from Compass Hospitality who operate the Victoria Hotel, but it’s an experience that Lucy has found overwhelming.

“I no longer want my wedding with them as they haven’t helped me in the slightest.  The communication has been very poor.  I’m very stressed and down with everything.

“We are a young couple who’ve saved and saved for our special day.  We’ve paid for personalised items, dresses and suits.  It’s cost us a lot more than just the venue.

“And of course, It not only affects us, but friends and family members who’ve made arrangements.  We both have elderly relatives that may not be with us by the time we rearrange our wedding.”

Lucy says that it was the uncertainty about the booking and the lack of communication which has made her so upset.

“Perhaps in the new year, we’ll start looking again.  But I’m ill with the stress, and just want a quiet Christmas.  I just want to try and enjoy the holiday now.”

Compass Hospitality, who operate the Victoria Hotel, say a lack of communication from the Home Office has led to uncertainty for staff and guests.

Whilst the company confirmed to the Chronicle that no asylum seekers had yet to be accommodated at the hotel, they are waiting for confirmation from the Home Office that the plan is to be actioned.

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