By CAROLINE WILSON

A POPULAR West of Scotland wedding venue is to stop offering the service due to declining bookings and increased competition.

Moorpark House in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, will cease trading as a wedding venue from September 1.

Couples who have booked weddings after this time at the four star venue have been offered earlier dates at a "greatly reduced" price or a full refund.

The owners of Moorpark House said trade had suffered as a result of new venues opening and "weddings taking a different direction."

Manager Jackie Dunbar said bookings were steady for the coming year but the business had to look ahead to 2018 and it was not feasible to continue as trade had been "quiet."

Mr Dunbar cited the new Waterside Hotel, on the outskirts of West Kilbride, which opened last year, as a major competitor.

Owned by Graham Conrpahe, Moorpark House opened as a hotel in 2007 and started offering wedding packages a couple of years later.

This mid-Victorian Italianate mansion recently underwent a multi million pound programme of renovation and extensions.

At its peak the venue was organising 140 weddings a year and was voted best "gay friendly" wedding venue last year at the Scottish Entertainment Awards.

It features extensive grounds, ancient wrought iron gates and a winding drive and is described on the website as a "pocket sized stately home."

Kilbirnie is home to one of the oldest working churches in Scotland, the Auld Kirk. Poet Robert Burns is said to have come to the blacksmiths near the church, where the area takes its name.

Jackie Dunbar, who also acts as wedding coordinator, said:"We are closing as a wedding venue from September 1.

"Weddings are taking a different direction and business is too quiet to continue. We can't continue as a business.

"There are a lot of new venues opening up and new competition. It's okay for this year and next but we have to think towards 2018.

"I feel upset for the couples. They are our main concern.

"Couples were disappointed but when we explained, the majority understood why this was happening.

"We are honouring all the bookings up to September 1 and 35% of couples are coming with us. The majority of couples had had their refunds.

"We are offering couples alternative dates at a greatly reduced price.

"We have done our best and I'd say 85% of the couples have been very understanding and feel as if they were treated well.

"One of the couples actually said it took the pressure off them and they can now elope.

"A beautiful new venue has opened in North Ayrshire, Waterside. It's absolutely fabulous and I wish them the best of luck because they have invested a lot of money in it.

"When we opened we took a lot of business from other venues. It's just life.

"The business is not going into administration. We are looking to take the business in another direction."

Moorpark boasts 12 ensuite double rooms and was given an "excellent" rating by 123 couples out of 185 reviews on Trip Advisor.

Prices for the 'Prestige Package' on Fridays and Saturdays start at £54.95 per person and includes use of the grounds from midday of the day of the wedding, post reception drink and four-course meal.

Menu options include supreme breast of chicken stuffed with wild Highland haggis with a whisky cream sauce.

The firm's website includes a page listing "competitors" with reviews of the venues.

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