Concerns East businesses will miss out on another wedding season
An event company is calling for more clarity on wedding receptions
Concerns have been raised that businesses in the East of England will miss out on a second wedding season this summer.
Epic Event Hire thinks a pattern of postponements, first experienced last year, is beginning to re-emerge despite the roadmap out of lockdown.
Current guidance from Government shows weddings can take place with up to six people from this week, but receptions won't return until 12 April at the earliest.
They would need to be held in Covid-secure venues outdoors, with table service only for guests in groups of six or two households or support bubbles.
From 17 May, wedding receptions for up to 30 people can be held indoors in a Covid-secure venue or in any outdoor space, with all restrictions hoped to be lifted no earlier than 21 June.
The rules are all subject to data around coronavirus at the time, which is causing uncertainty for those waiting to get married.
Owner of Epic Event Hire, Kerry Ellis, said:
"We're still waiting on the clarity for the actual reception itself in terms of what can and can't happen. I think what's happening now is, because there's so much uncertainty, people are still nervous.
"The roadmap was great initially, but as that's not developed into anything clearer and depends on research, people are anxious and we're now seeing a pattern re-emerging of people moving their weddings to next year.
"It means we could potentially lose another wedding season."
Kerry is calling on the Government to put businesses like hers in the same territory as hospitality for grants and support, claiming the furlough scheme provides no benefits as it's a small family-run business.