2 weeks Ago
A woman has shared the living “nightmare” of her wedding being cancelled five weeks before it was due to take place following the shock closure of a Grade II listed hotel. The PowderMills Hotel in Battle shared the news that it would be temporarily closing to “carry out essential refurbishments and renovations”. For Anne Webb, the bad news came just five weeks before her wedding to fiancé Simon was due to take place there.
She said: “The events manager phoned me out of the blue. She said I have got some bad news, are you sitting down? “We are going to have to cancel your wedding. “I was on my own at the time.
All these things start going through your mind and you think what do you do now? The planning has been going on for so long. “We paid it out of our money, we had done everything and then for that bombshell to be thrown at us. The PowderMills Hotel in Battle (Image: Google Maps) “You do not know which way to turn.
Families and friends have taken time off, some are making travel arrangements. “I thought it was just somebody joking around.” Anne said she couldn’t reach anyone at the hotel via phone call or email to get back the deposit she had paid, meaning she had to travel there to request it be returned to her in person.
She said: “We have been planning the wedding since February. Everything was sorted and it was five weeks before the wedding. “The biggest problem is there are so few hotels in the area licensed for a wedding ceremony.
“It was just a nightmare.” READ MORE: Plans for new Tesco store take shape as alcohol licence granted Thankfully, Anne managed to move her wedding to the Bannatyne Hotel, also in Battle. She said: “Bannatyne has been absolutely brilliant and has put everything in place for us, we couldn’t be more thrilled.
“It has been an absolute nightmare, when you’re looking forward to something so much for so long. “We have been incredibly lucky to get it sorted.” Daniella Rollison-Best, Bannatyne Hotel’s manager, said: “We are very sorry to hear about those whose weddings have been impacted.
We are doing our absolute best to accommodate and assist where we can. “We are going to help as many couples as possible to have the big day they imagined. We are working with customers to bring the plans they already had to life at our hotel.
“We know that planning a wedding can be stressful enough. We have had an influx of enquiries and are doing our utmost to help put people’s minds at ease.” A planning application has been submitted to Rother District Council by the hotel for “internal and external changes and alterations including the repositioning of the hotels reception, improvements to guest facilities, improved accessibility with special regard to mobility impairment, improved back of house facilities and increased bedroom space within the hotel”.
Hotel bosses said the building, in Powdermill Lane, had been developed and extended over time in an “ad-hoc” and “piecemeal fashion” leading to an “inefficient” building. The hotel building dates back to the 17th century, with the oldest part of the existing building constructed in 1796 following an explosion at the site, which was used as a gunpowder works. A decision is due by November 13.
The full statement from PowderMills Hotel reads: “Since acquiring PowderMills Hotel and Estate in July, we have undertaken a thorough assessment of the property, its business and overall operations. “Following this evaluation, we have made the difficult, but necessary decision to temporarily close the hotel to carry out essential refurbishments. READ MORE: Roller skaters 'gutted' at closure of rink “The extent of the required work means that reopening will only occur once we are confident the business can operate viably and can deliver an exceptional experience that guests deserve and the setting offers.
“Despite this temporary closure, our vision for PowderMills remains focused on a bright and prosperous future. “While significant work lies ahead, we know these changes will strengthen the estate and the services we offer in the long term, whilst also positively impacting the surrounding communities. “Thank you for your understanding and support during this transitional period.
“We look forward to welcoming you back to PowderMills in the future.” The hotel’s Facebook post received over 100 comments, some people sharing their anger at the disruption to their bookings with the business, while others expressed their sadness at the news and well wishes for staff. PowderMills Hotel has been approached for further comment.
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