Airth Castle closure: Offers of help for disappointed couples and hotel staff

Over 20 full-time jobs have been lost as the well-established hotel and wedding venue went into voluntary liquidation amid angry words from guests who had their bookings cancelled at the last minute.

The closure was blamed on the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and the current energy crisis causing supplier costs to increase bringing the company’s level of debt to “unmanageable levels” and forcing it to make the “reluctant decision” to place the company into voluntary liquidation.

Following Tuesday’s announcement, several well known venues in the Falkirk area have been quick to offer their support.

Inchyra Hotel and Spa stated it is committed to offering interviews to all staff affected by the Airth Castle Hotel closure.

Brett Ingle, general Manager at the Inchyra Hotel, said: “It is sad to see a much loved venue like Airth Castle Hotel close its doors. We understand that this will be an incredibly difficult and uncertain time for its staff and we sympathise.

"Inchyra Hotel and Spa is a short 10 minute drive from Airth Castle and we are looking for experienced individuals who will make a valuable contribution to our team.”

Prospective applicants have been asked to send their CV directly to the hotel general manager by e-mailing [email protected].

And Beancross Farm is just one of the venues which has offered to help couples who have seen their wedding plans shattered by the Airth Castle closure.

In a Facebook post the Polmont venue stated: “We have helped a lot of brides and grooms, partnerships and events since the sad closure of a local venue. We are dealing with these on an individual basis please come talk to us and hear how we can help get what’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life back on track with the help of our dedicated weddings and events team who are on standby to help.”

The shock announcement of Airth Castle Hotel’s liquidation was a second booking blow for one couple.

Aaron McGinn and Kymberly Peffers, from east Lothian, had been let down before, when their wedding date at the Parsonage was cancelled due to the sale of that property last year.

Then their rescheduled wedding at Airth Castle, due to take place on July 14, was also placed in jeopardy.

Aaron said: “The first we heard about the Parsonage sale was through The Falkirk Herald article – no one told us from the venue. We were then offered Airth Castle instead as an alternative.

"Just last week they had us in to look at new rooms which had been done up. We came away from that meeting happy.”

Then the couple heard about the liquidation.

"We were told they were going to honour our wedding in July and were going to be open again in time. That’s not a risk we’re going to take though – there’s no way.”

Aaron and Kymberly have already contacted alternative venues.

"It’s not worth the risk waiting,” said Aaron. “They have given us assurances about two venues now and we have been let down both times.”