Friday 5 February 2010

DAVID WILLIAMS CALLS ON CHESHIRE EAST TO RETHINK IT’S MARRIAGE FEES

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has called on Cheshire East Council to think again on it outrageous increase in marriage fees.

Cheshire East Council are proposing to make massive increases in their charges for marriage taking place in anywhere other than a church or registry office as from 1st April 2010.

David Williams said, “I find these proposed increase to be absolutely ludicrous. The Tories nationally are banging on about how they propose to support marriage and yet here we have the local Tories in Cheshire East imposing increases in marriage fees way about the rate of inflation. These proposals will deter many from getting married as they will just not be able to afford the extortionate fees and there will be a knock-on effect on the local economy as these proposals will also hit the hotels and other places where weddings take place.”

Councillor Dorothy Flude, Leader of the Labour Group on Cheshire East Council added, “Marriage is a very important ceremony for many people. Many struggle to put together enough money to have a marriage ceremony. Cheshire East is not encouraging people to get married at these prices.”

As from 1st April 2010, Cheshire East Council is proposing to increase the fee for ‘Marriage at Approved Premises’. The fees will vary depending on the day chosen for the wedding.

- On Monday to Friday the fee will increase from £250 to £385
- On Saturday before 2.00pm the fee will increase from £320 to £460
- On Saturday after 2.00pm the fee will increase from £330 to £600
- On Sunday the fee will increase from £320 to £500
- On Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday the fee will increase from £320 to £800
- On all other Public Holidays the fee will increase from £320 to £500.

These fees do not include the hire of the room or any other wedding services and must be paid four weeks in advance of the wedding.

David Williams commented, “Cheshire East proudly say on their web site ‘Welcome to Cheshire East, a county of beauty and contrasts. From idyllic rural locations to splendid historic towns, Cheshire East has the perfect setting for your Wedding’ Day’ and that there are over sixty licensed venues in Cheshire East to choose from, what they do not say is that, if you do choose to get married in any of these, then they will sting you for as much money as possible.”

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