Big day celebrations helping the economy

Weddings and civil partnerships at the newly licensed town hall have resulted in the local economy benefiting from the big day celebrations.

Gwen Goddard, vice-chairman of Hebden Bridge Community Association, which runs the town hall, said: “More and more people are deciding to hold their special celebrations at the Town Hall.”

After the slow start in 2011, Gwen said they already had many more bookings for 2012.

“We have five for August, three for July with others throughout the year and the first one for 2013 is being negotiated,” she said.

She added: “Enquiries have been received from Canada and Holland as well as London and other parts of the UK, though most are from engaged couples living in West Yorkshire.”

Gwen said that the weddings and civil partnerships were definitely of benefit to the many independent shop/businesses in the town.

“One such, which was quite a low-key event, was recently roughly costed. One of our florists provided all the flowers, lunch in town was in one of our cafes, an independent local caterer looked after the evening buffet, the DJ was local, bed and breakfasts were used for guests and of course there was the hire of the council chamber.

“This came to £3,000 and all of it fed back directly into our local economy. Other weddings and civil-partnerships have been more costly affairs, some much more costly, but again have used local suppliers which the Town Hall actively encourages in its publicity and personal interaction with couples.”

At present weddings and civil partnerships take place in the Victorian listed council chamber but from June this year the brand new 200 seater Waterfront Hall, will also be licensed.

The hall currently under construction at the rear of the premises will be suitable for parties and large gatherings with special community rates.

“When it is open in June, it is expected this new venue with its own catering facility will soon prove to be a valuable addition to the town,” said Gwen.

“As one couple pointed out there just isn’t anywhere else in Hebden Bridge offering a venue of this sort of size and with its own supporting facilities.”

Enquiries regarding bookings should be addressed to [email protected] or go to the weddings and civil partnership pages of the Town Hall website.*