Lord Bute Hotel saves couple's wedding after hotel closure

Bride-to-be Anne Chilcott, from Poole, was 'shocked and devastated' to learn Poole Quay Hotel had shut suddenly just three months before her special day.

Anne, 54, and her fiancé, Les Way, 55, were planning to get married at the hotel on June 15, 2024.

Upon learning about the closure through various news outlets, the Lord Bute Hotel in Highcliffe generously extended a helping hand to the couple.

It offered the venue at a reduced cost, ensuring the couple can still celebrate their wedding day as originally planned.

Anne said: "The venue is absolutely lovely; it's right by Highcliffe Castle, so we can have our photographs taken on the grounds."

"The Lord Bute have been brilliant- same day, same time, same wedding, just a different venue."

Anne said the hotel offered her and her fiancé the bridal suite for the night free of charge, as well as providing rooms for all their overnight guests.

The couple said they had been unable to contact anyone from Poole Quay Hotel following its sudden closure.

They said they needed to recover their £4,000 deposit to book another venue.

"We still haven't had our money back; I have lost count of how many times we have tried to contact them."

Jane added: "It is not just us who are out of pocket. There are lots of other weddings that have been cancelled, and they haven't heard anything either.

"We are so relieved to have sorted a venue for our wedding. The stress of it was making me ill.

"The way Poole Quay Hotel have treated their staff and customers is disgusting."

The hotel officially closed on March 21 after a sign on the door read: "With immediate effect, we regret to inform you that Poole Quay Hotel is now closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

The notice said any questions should be directed to MHA Burleigh Poole Ltd, the developer behind the new build.

The Echo has approached MHA for a comment.