COUPLES fear their wedding receptions may be cancelled after the owners of a venue put it up for auction without warning clients.

The English Wine Centre in Alfriston Road, Berwick, has closed and is now on sale at £1.2 million.

It is understood the owners have retired.

There are three barns, one cottage and a pavilion which houses a wine shop, restaurant, function venue and letting facilities.

Gemma Stead, 33, of Eastbourne, said she had no communication from the owners after the venue was put up for sale.

She said: “My partner Jake and I paid a deposit of £1,500 for our wedding on September 17 next year. When we found out the venue was up for sale, we visited the website and it was unavailable.The owners did not respond to my calls and text messages.

“It’s terrible what they have done. I am just worried we might have to change the venue or the date of our wedding. If so we will have to pay the registrar.

“We booked the venue last September. I am more worried about the people who have their weddings in the next month or so – what are they going to do? I think the owners should have told us what was happening. We need answers.”

Another client, who asked not to be named, said: “When I found out the owners were retiring and selling the property, I contacted them to check if my wedding reception will still go ahead.

“My fiancee and I didn’t get a call back. We visited the website but it says ‘sorry this website is currently closed’. There was no indication whether the venue would continue to host receptions or it would be vacant and become something else.

“I saw on Facebook someone is having their wedding in April. I really feel for them.

“The owners retired in December and we booked the venue in November. Our wedding is next June. The point is, the owners should have communicated with everyone about what is happening and if everything would be OK.”

Richard Payne, auctioneer from Clive Emson, said: “The owners did not tell us what their plans are for the property.”

The English Wine Centre will be sold in an open auction on February 6 at the Hilton Metropole in Kingsway, Brighton. The event starts after 11am.

The owners were contacted for a comment.