Sussex wedding venue apologises to grieving couple

4:58pm Thursday 15th March 2012 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

A wedding venue has “apologised unreservedly” for upsetting a grieving couple.

James Matthews and Samantha Rumens accused the English Wine Centre of “profiting from their loss” after their twin baby boys died.

Owner of the venue Colin Munday today (Thursday) sent the couple a cheque returning their full deposit for the wedding they cancelled because they could not face celebrating.

Mr Munday said he had previously returned their £300 accommodation deposit and promised to give them half of the deposit for their wedding if he could rebook the date.

He told The Argus: “Of course I regret not having sent the deposit before but I was treating the couple as we would any other.

"Clearly they felt that I was not being honest nor quick enough and also demanded a full refund.

"They stated that I had promised a full refund but had never promised this.

“As to my sensitivity we too have lost two sons, Daniel at the age of 19 with kidney failure and Simon at the age of 21 with acute epilepsy.

"We neither asked for special treatment nor expected it and received we just wanted everything to be normal again.

“But I do understand how they hate the world. It took me many years to stop being angry.

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“So in truth my heart went out to them but many people have very sad events or illnesses but obligations that one has entered into must still be met.

“I apologise unreservedly for any insensitivity and hope that, given time, Mr and Mrs Matthews can have further healthy children.”

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Comments(14)

StingingP says...
5:08pm Thu 15 Mar 12

Well done, sensitive apology and a generous gesture. I will certainly use you should the need arise.

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Cabin fever says...
5:24pm Thu 15 Mar 12

Hmmm, sincere apology, or carefully orchestrated publicity stunt?

As pte has alluded to on the other thread, something doesn't add up about all this...

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Simon H says...
5:38pm Thu 15 Mar 12

You think the guy lost his own 2 sons as a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt?

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AmboGuy says...
5:56pm Thu 15 Mar 12

Simon H wrote:
You think the guy lost his own 2 sons as a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt?
Errrm no! I think he's saying that it's the wedding venue's apology that could be a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt.

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The Vikster says...
6:01pm Thu 15 Mar 12

I think Colin Munday should have been more sensitive to start with. Everyone deals with loss different ways and I can understand the couple not wanting to celebrate their wedding after losing their two babies. But also, the couple ought to have considered that deposits are rarely returned and perhaps they shouldn't have expected it. I am glad they are getting the refund but I hope that the business hasn't suffered from this.

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george smith says...
6:23pm Thu 15 Mar 12

Looks like he is trying to stop his business going down the toilet. I still wont be buying anything there again

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John Steed says...
6:51pm Thu 15 Mar 12

StingingP wrote:
Well done, sensitive apology and a generous gesture. I will certainly use you should the need arise.
they wanted to get out of a contract, they were allowed to do so at no loss, I hope the venue manages to rebook the vacant date, had they simply cancelled, the venue would have been within its rights to retain monies as per the terms and conditions of the existing contract, in this case once the full facts were known the matter was dealt with to the satisfaction of both parties.
slagging off is unwarranted I to would visit this venue having checked the web site it looks quite appealing

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Royal_Recruit says...
10:07am Fri 16 Mar 12

This is probably prompted by hundreds of people tweeting the story and the contact details for this place. It seems a very forced apology and a tad too late for my liking. Im glad they have got their money back but its also good to know where this mans morals are. If you work in the business of love, shouldn't you be lovely?

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sbiscorrupt says...
10:09am Fri 16 Mar 12

Sadly too little, too late...but isn't it funny how a bit of media exposure tends to change a person's 'attitude' (albeit still begrudgingly) when that person's profit margin is threatened...!

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JoeBlow says...
2:33pm Fri 16 Mar 12

The venue did nothing wrong. I suspect the reporting has been sensationalised to get more hits. The couple agreed a contract and yes, very sad though their story is, they played the sympathy card to try to break the agreement.

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MzEden1 says...
2:48pm Fri 16 Mar 12

There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth!

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Baldseagull says...
12:20pm Sat 17 Mar 12

A deposit given to secure a service should not be expected back if you later cancel, but neither should you be insulted for asking for it back due to tragic circumstances.
I wonder if the accusations of hardheartedness and profiteering were made to Mr. Munday before he accused the couple of "playing the sympathy card" though.

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Old Ladys Gin says...
2:42pm Sat 17 Mar 12

Owner of the venue Colin Munday today (Thursday) sent the couple a cheque returning their full deposit for the wedding they cancelled because they could not face celebrating.

Or even:
Today, Thursday, the owner of the owner of the venue etc..

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Barbara20 says...
9:42pm Sat 17 Mar 12

If Mr Munday has experienced loss, he should know to never say to a grieving couple that they are playing the sympathy card... Well done for apologising though.

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