Couples left without wedding venue after shock closure of award-winning Lancaster hotel

The shock closure of a popular Lancaster canalside hotel has left couples without a wedding venue at short notice.

The Mill at Conder Green has shut, leaving couples out of pocket and worried about where their wedding will now take place.

The four-star Mill hotel, bar and restaurant, on the banks of Lancaster Canal, won Countryside Wedding Venue of the Year at the 2024 Wedding Fayres Lancashire Wedding Awards.

A bride-to-be posted on Facebook: "The Mill at Conder Green is no more.

"£3000 pound lost with three months till the wedding and no venue. Fan bloody tastic! I'll be in touch with guests as soon as I know what is happening."

Another bride-to-be posted: "We were meant to be getting married 24th May at the Mill at Conder Green.

"In disbelief but trying to work out what our options are."

A photographer also posted that he was due to work for a couple who had their wedding booked at The Mill on March 7 and had paid in full, but had been told it had shut.

He said they'd had "no contact from the venue and the phone lines are not working".

Another post on Facebook from someone who works near the hotel said: "The Mill has been closed for the last week or so with a closed sign on the door and all the lights off and looks to be closed down (as if to be holding no functions).

"We have had hotel guests that have had their rooms cancelled and have been contacted by brides/grooms to say that their weddings aren’t taking place so we are assuming this to be the case."

Other local venues have also posted about the closure, offering their services.

Ellel Village Hall, Galgate posted: "We are saddened to hear the news...and we know this has left many couples and families in a difficult position.

"We’ve already had some enquiries about using our Village Hall as an alternative venue, and we want to let you know—we are here to help."

Wennington Hall at Lancasted posted: "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of The Mill at Conder Green and are horrified by the impact this will have had on the couples holding their wedding there.

"We're so sorry you're having to go through this at a time when all you should be feeling is excitement for your upcoming wedding."

And The Storey in Lancaster posted: "We have just heard of the awful news that Mill at Conder Green is closing, and our hearts go out to all the couples affected. We understand how devastating this must be."

Councillor Sally Maddocks, who represents Ellel ward on Lancaster City Council, said the news was "really sad".

"People have been left without a venue but it’s touching to see other businesses and village halls reach out and offer to help.

"Communities always rally round to help don’t they?

"It’s not a good situation for anyone. You want your wedding to be perfect, you use all your savings to make it happen and then to lose everything is a shock.

"I imagine that the owners of The Mill feel terrible.  It’s a sign of the times isn’t it?"

The Mill was built in around 1740 and is close to a lock serving the Glasson branch of the main Lancaster canalway.

It has been on the market for sale for some time, for offers in the region of £2.3m.

Beyond Radio has contacted The Mill for comment.