A Grantham couple due to get married in October said they have been “left in the dark” after their hotel venue was contracted by the government to house families who have assisted the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan.
This isn’t the first hotel in Grantham to be affected after The Urban Hotel cancelled bookings and weddings for at least the next six months after it was contracted to take in Afghanistan refugees.
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, told The Lincolnite that several of their guests were contacted by booking.com to cancel their stay at Stoke Rochford Hotel in Grantham without any explanation.
The bride and groom enquired with the hotel and said they were given very mixed messages. When they finally got through to someone on the front desk on the phone, they said they were told the hotel was being renovated. Then someone else from the hotel said the British Forces from Afghanistan were staying there before they were later told that rooms were being used for refugees.
The couple claim they were told around four or five weeks ago that they could have a now reduced number of 19 rooms for their guests, but wouldn’t have any access to the remaining of around 80.
Bedrooms at the Stoke Rochford Hotel in Granhtam have been kept aside for families who have assisted with the British Armed forces during their time in Afghanistan. | Photo: R S Mortiss
An email sent to the couple last month by a Senior Wedding and Events Coordinator at the hotel, which has been seen by The Lincolnite, said: “I have received notice today (August 12) from my manager that some of our accommodation has been requisitioned by the government, meaning we are unable to provide accommodation in the courtyard accommodation block.
“Please note this does not include accommodation in the Main House. This requisition takes affect from tomorrow (August 13) until further notice.
“The bedrooms are for families who have assisted with the British Armed Forces during their time in Afghanistan helping with the ongoing violence there.
“As explained above, this has been a sudden announcement to ourselves and sadly as it has been acquisitoned by the Home Office it is out of our control.
“This will not impact your wedding day at all and we are in the process of reallocating as many rooms as possible into the Main House and personally getting in touch with any guests that may have to be moved.”
The couple are not looking to cancel the wedding, but just want proper communications and answers, especially after paying the hotel over £6,000 for their happy day, which had already been postponed once already due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After struggling to get replies from the hotel over the last four weeks, the couple said they finally had a response from the General Manager on Tuesday, September 14 saying he was looking into it. However, since the initial email with the announcement, they feel like they have been ignored.
The situation at the Stoke Rochford Hotel appears to have caused a lot of confusion and frustration for people with weddings and other bookings. | Photo: R S Mortiss
The couple said: “We are still not getting much communication and are not sleeping. We are meant to be looking forward to it, which we were before this happened.
“We feel incredibly stressed and left completely in the dark and hung out to try. As far as we know the wedding is still going ahead, but our guests can’t all stay at the hotel.
“A key aspect of this communication is the hotel claiming it’s out of their control – something I am very dubious about because from what I understand venues have to apply to the government to take on refugees, and are rewarded with significant financial compensation for doing so.
“I would like to make it clear that we think it is absolutely the right thing for hotels to offer help to refugees – that’s not the part we have issue with. It’s the complete lack of communication we’ve had since from the venue to make sure our day can still go ahead.”
They added: “We don’t feel like we have a choice (not to have the wedding there). If we were to get a refund we won’t be able to get anywhere else short notice. We feel quite trapped and tied into it.”
The couple also don’t know who their best point of contact is after finding out from a third party that their wedding co-ordinator has left her role, which had not been communicated to them.
It has also been alleged by other people that several phone calls and emails regarding weddings have been ignored, and comments from brides made on the hotel’s social media have been removed, or users blocked/banned without explanation.
Stoke Rochford Hotel in Grantham. | Photo: R S Mortiss
The Lincolnite contacted Stoke Rochford Hotel for a response, but had no reply by the time of publication.
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We are investigating following a house fire where a man has sadly died.
Officers were called to the incident in Farrow Road, Spalding, at 1.03am today (7 August) following reports of what was described as an explosion. The property has suffered 100% damage.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and members of the public who offered assistance, a man in his 50’s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed.
Another man who is thought to have been passing by the property and offered his help suffered burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and we are keeping an open mind as experts from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service investigate today. We would encourage people not to speculate while we investigate the cause.
Officers will remain in the area for the next few days carrying out enquiries.
Anyone who saw or heard anything, or captured the incident on doorbell camera or dashcam is asked to contact us. There are a number of ways to get in touch:
You can call us on 101 quoting incident number 43 of 7 August.
You can email: [email protected] incident number 43 of 7 August in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can give information anonymously online
Lincolnshire 30 Under 30, The Lincolnite‘s showcase of young up and coming talent and high achievers, is open for nominations.
Thanks to our sponsors, Sparkhouse, Ringrose Law, Streets Chartered Accountants, Lincoln College and The Strait & Narrow, publishers Stonebow Media are organising the celebration of Lincolnshire’s promising talent for this autumn.
In 2021 we received almost 200 nominations for our county’s rising stars and and we’re seeking those who have shone over the past twelve months from entrepreneurs, to athletes, artists and rapidly developing professionals.
We’re looking to hear from inspirational young achievers from all backgrounds and professional fields. You can nominate yourself, or someone you know personally or professionally who is making our county proud.
Nominations are open for people from across Greater Lincolnshire (from the Humber to the Wash), either living or working in our region (and beyond!)
Entries close on September 9. A reception event is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, at the Lincoln Cathedral Chapterhouse. Check out the 2021 celebration.
Why this matters
The Lincolnite’s 30 Under 30 showcase is a celebration of the best and brightest in Lincolnshire, putting our young talent on the map regionally and nationally.
Stonebow Media’s platform and channels reach unparalleled audiences, opening up further opportunities and recognition for those involved.
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