'Unlawful' wedding venue refuses to refund deposits after being shut down

Manhay Farm, a wedding and event venue near Helston, has closed down suddenly leaving brides and grooms in the lurch
-Credit: (Image: Steven Rees-Webb Photography)


An 'unlawful' wedding venue is closing down leaving wedding plans in disarray. Manhay Farm, near Helston, has cancelled every single one of its upcoming weddings and is refusing to refund deposits amounting to thousands of pounds.

The venue which was, until recently, advertising itself for birthdays, hen parties and weddings, had previously applied for planning permission to change its use from agricultural buildings to a 'unique wedding and events venue'. It applied in January of this year but withdrew that application in March.

It submitted a further application for pre-application advice in June about the change of use and was advised it would most likely be rejected. It's after Cornwall Council said inspectors had visited the site and found a change of use had already occurred in one of its barns and was "not lawful".

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A letter written by Martin Jose, senior development officer, giving advice on the proposal, states: "The proposal seeks to change the use of two barns to allow for their use as an events venue comprising mainly weddings but also catering for other events. It is proposed that no external alterations will be performed to the buildings such that this will simply comprise a change of use with internal alterations.

"The case officer has previously visited the site as part of the previous prior approval application (PA23/10335) whereby it was confirmed that a change of use had occurred and the northern barn was set out for events with a bar as well as the areas being carpeted. It is understood that several events have taken place but this use is only recent such that it is not lawful."

The letter also detailed how the planning officer felt a change of use would have "harmful impacts" on the character of the area and said the noise created by people and music could have "significant impacts" upon immediate neighbours as well as upon other neighbours in the wider area.

The conclusion stated: "In summary, the proposal comprises new development in the open countryside for which there is no special justification as to why it should be in this location. It does not form a farm diversification and the impacts on both visual and residential amenity in the area weigh heavily in the planning balance."

He said the harm from the proposals would outweigh any benefits and that, in conclusion, the proposal would not be supported, and he would not encourage the submission of a planning application. An official planning application was never submitted following this advice issued on July 25.

Manhay Farm, which offered weddings for up to 120 day guests and 200 evening guests, broke the news that it would be closing down abruptly earlier this month and went silent across its social media platforms.

The venue, run by Francesca Mccarthy and Clare Pruen, emailed its customers saying due to noise complaints Cornwall Council will not grant any further Temporary Event Licenses (TENs) for upcoming events. A single premises without an official licence or permission can apply for up to 15 TENs in one year, and no more.

A TEN is designed to be used for "small-scale" or "one-off" events. During 2022 and 2023 this limit was increased to 20 due to temporary legislation to assist premises following the pandemic – but it reverted to 15 again this year.

The notice allows sites without an existing premises license to plan events where there will be entertainment, alcohol or hot food and drink for sale between 11pm and 5am. But it is by no means a permanent solution to hosting regular events.

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-Credit:Eaton Photography
-Credit:Eaton Photography

In an email sent to one devastated couple, Manhay Farm said: "The council has informed us that they will deny temporary events notices for the coming year, effectively preventing us from hosting any future events or weddings.

"Therefore we will have to close the business. We are devastated by this turn of events and understand the significant impact this will have on you and your wedding plans." It also told customers it would assist with finding other venues but would not be offering refunds of deposits.

Several devasated brides-to-be took to social media to say they had paid out thousands for their upcoming weddings, some due to marry in mere weeks and others in the coming months. One said she had paid more than the £1,000 deposit required while another said she would no longer be able to get married due to the loss of funds.

Another said she'd been told that 28 couples had been left in the lurch, although the venue has not confirmed the exact numbers. Manhay Farm was hosting weddings just last month, with the last known wedding taking place on September 28 before things went silent.

CornwallLive has contacted Manhay Farm Weddings and Events for comment but received no response. If you or your wedding have been affected by the closure you can email our reporter with details at lisa.letcher@reachplc.com.