Blackburn’s new Northgate Ceremonies Suite was officially opened last weekend by a lucky couple.
Mahena Stanley, 45 and Steve Stanley, 51, from Blackburn, who were nominated through social media to win a free renewal of vows ceremony, cut the ribbon at the official open day on Saturday, 27th August. They were married more than two decades ago in the old register office which was based on Jubilee Street in Blackburn.
The winning couple, who celebrate their anniversary on 3rd June each year, plan to renew their vows on Friday, 2nd June 2017 in the Edwardian Room at the new venue on Northgate in Blackburn.
Mrs Stanley said: “We were absolutely delighted to open the beautiful venue where we plan to renew our vows next year.
“My Husband and I had been thinking about renewing our vows for some time, especially after he was involved in a serious car accident five years ago.
“Since then it has been one thing after another so we were overjoyed when we heard that we had won the free ceremony.”
She added: “We were more than happy to open the new venue which has four spacious ceremony rooms seating up to one hundred guests. We were very pleased with the venue which is a wonderful facility to tie the knot with your partner.”
Visitors flocked to the open day for a guided tour of the venue which is suitable for a wide selection of ceremonies including weddings, civil partnerships, naming ceremonies and renewal of vows.
Councillor Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Resources, said: “We were delighted that the open day was a success and that people like the new services we are able to provide.
“We can offer all types of marriage ceremony, whether that be an intimate service for just the happy couple to enjoy or something more elaborate that caters for up to 100 guests to join in and share the happy occasion.
“We hope that many more people will celebrate here and take advantage of the great facilities. These new rooms let people have their wedding or civil ceremony in a really attractive town centre setting, making it the ideal venue for their special day.”
For more information about the new venue, visit www.blackburn.gov.uk and search “Marriages Births”.
