Northern Ireland

NI wedding venues call on Executive to provide clear re-opening criteria

Some leading wedding venues have called on the Executive to provide clear re-opening criteria
Some leading wedding venues have called on the Executive to provide clear re-opening criteria Some leading wedding venues have called on the Executive to provide clear re-opening criteria

SOME of Northern Ireland's leading wedding venues have called on the Executive to provide clear re-opening criteria following a year of severe loss to the industry.

Sarah Mackie from Larchfield Estate in Lisburn, has told of how the venue has "gone from being booked out and thriving to devastation in the space of 12 months".

The north's wedding industry has suffered over 90 per cent loss of business over the past year due to lockdowns and restrictions slicing the number of wedding guests and venue capacities.

In pre-pandemic times, the wedding sector contributed £250m to the Northern Ireland economy, with around 8,000 weddings hosted each year.

But venues and vendors are now working at 10 per cent capacity with a cap of 25 guests for ceremony only per wedding.

It is hoped stage three of the Executive's plan out of lockdown will see the return of receptions.

But wedding operators and vendors are calling on the Executive to issue clear re-opening criteria, including indicative dates and information on the data needed to inform the size and scale of the opening of venues.

Ms Mackie said "without doubt, this has been the hardest year for our business".

"The wedding industry is currently only operating at 10 per cent of its usual capacity, and this is having a major impact on specialist wedding businesses like ours right down to small suppliers," she said.

"Many exclusive wedding venues that are not within hotels were not eligible for financial assistance from the government, with some not having received a single penny to date.

"We ask for parity on this front.

"Clarity on what data is needed for the reopening steps is now urgently required for us to begin to plan out how best to reopen and recover in the safest possible way that would be viable for our businesses.

"Weddings take time to plan, and precision is needed to ensure our clients have a memorable day.

"The speed of the vaccination programme is commendable. Now is the time for the recovery plan to kick into action and for businesses like ours to begin trading properly again.

"The Executive now must provide us with some indicative reopening times so that we can begin this process."

Emma Donaghy from The Old Rectory, Killyman, which is outside Dungannon in Co Tyrone,said the Executive needs to "provide some hope and guidance on the next steps for the sector to help map out recovery".

"A reopening date would be a start," she said.

"As with many businesses, a clear directive is needed for the reopening of the wedding industry. The industry can no longer wait in hope for reopening dates.

"We need firm clarity on when we can reopen and how that can be done. Livelihoods and marriages are counting on it."

Colm Shannon from Newry Chamber of Commerce said other retailers associated with weddings are also suffering.

"Jewellers have a key role to play and are excluded from the click and collect scheme at the moment," he said.

"There are the many florists, fashion boutiques, hairdressers and men’s outfit shops who depend on the wedding business at this time of year."