Demand sees Shropshire hotel expand its facilities
A Shropshire country house hotel has announced a major investment to cater for an increased demand from couples booking weddings.
Shropshire Chamber member The Old Rectory Hotel in Lowe Hill Road, Wem, has created a new 2,000-square feet function room within the hotel courtyard and can now host weddings for up to 125 guests.
Hotels in the region have experienced some difficult times, with The Mill at Alveley among those that have closed in recent months.
But Keith Hanmer, who owns the Old Rectory Hotel, said his investment showed confidence in the future and said there was every reason to be optimistic about Shropshire's economy.
He said: "The new room is situated in a semi-permanent marquee which is fully lined and heated and has a fabulous sprung dance floor.
"It means that couples can still get married in the main part of the hotel but now have a greater choice of where they can hold their reception.
"Previously we could only handle a maximum of 80 seated guests within the hotel but we can now cater for 120, with plenty of room for a lot more people at after-wedding parties."
The first couple to book the new venue to host their Spring wedding were Martin Bircham and Rowena Cater, of Gobowen, near Oswestry.
The couple both work at Select-a-Skip on Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury, and are getting married in April.
They couldn't resist a quick visit and sneak preview of the new facilities which are nearing completion at the award-winning hotel.
Rowena said: "We visited several venues in the area but fell in love with the Old Rectory and its gardens straight away."
She added: "The customer service from hotel manager Selina Cuss and her team in helping to meet all of the specific requirements for our special day has been simply superb.
"This new facility will be perfect as there will be nearly 100 friends and family at the wedding and a further 100 coming along to an evening party and ceilidh and we also expect to fill all of the hotel rooms with wedding guests who are travelling from afar."
