DISAPPOINTED couples whose wedding plans were thrown up in the air when an events company went into administration may get a happy ending after all.

Beales Gourmet operated the Italian Villa at Compton Acres in Poole as well as providing outside catering for popular venues including Sopley Mill and Lulworth Castle.

The business had 250 weddings and private functions lined up for this year but was unable to continue to operate after being forced to close during the coronavirus lockdown.

Now Compton Acres Ltd hopes to re-open the Italian Villa but any agreement will not include Beales Gourmet Ltd as a going concern.

It has been working closely with the administrators to surrender the lease back to the company as landlord.

Bernard Merna, Director, Compton Acres Ltd says; “We feel for those who have booked their special days and celebrations with the Italian Villa under these disappointing circumstances.

“It has been a priority for us to speak to as many as possible personally to find out if they had event insurance or credit card protection relating to their booking. We have so far made over 50 phone calls to discuss the situation and we are pleased that more than 45 of those individuals have already agreed to rebook the Italian Villa once we know from the Government what we are able to do.”

Mr Merna added: “We hope we can get the Villa back on track as soon as possible to create more happy days ahead. We will do what we can to accommodate those who have been left in such a difficult situation.

“It was important to us at Compton Acres, ourselves a creditor of the sudden administration of Beales Gourmet, to minimise the damage by taking ourselves out of the equation, hopefully leaving a little more for those who have paid deposits for their events without insurance or credit card protection.”

Two former employees of Beales Gourmet Ltd who were made redundant are also being employed by Compton Acres Ltd to help with some continuity for clients of the Italian Villa.

Former clients of Beales Gourmet Ltd who booked events at the Italian Villa and wish to continue to use the venue can contact Compton Acres Ltd at gardens@comptonacres.co.uk to discuss their options

Beales Gourmet, owned by Molly and Tony Beales, employs 14 permanent staff, along with six regular casual staff. All permanent staff have been furloughed.