A Wirral bride-to-be’s sheer panic has turned into activism to save Thornton Manor’s marquees after a devastating blaze at the historic building
Chloe Davis, 34, launched a petition to save Thornton Manor’s marquees after the historic Wirral Grade II-listed building suffered major fire damage.
Wirral Council had previously said that the marquees must be removed in July.
She said: “I picked up my dress on the Friday, and then I saw the news on the Saturday. I thought is there anything I can do to help? It must have been horrific.
“I’m trying to get the council to understand people’s points of views.
“There’s nowhere else for people to get married. If we can keep the marquees, people can still get married there, even though the manor is gone.”
The petition to keep the Thornton Manor Marquees now has more than 3,000 signatures.
Miss Davis, who had booked her wedding for August 27, said she couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.
Hundreds of brides have suffered what Miss Davies describes as the “biggest shame” and “such bad luck” to have their dream weddings ruined.
Wirral Council has been involved in a long-running dispute with Thornton Manor about the removal of the marquees, which has seen ongoing hearings in court. Thornton Holdings Ltd, which owns the Thornton Hall Estate, first applied for planning permission as long ago as 2010.
Miss Davies added: “It makes no sense and they don’t affect anything. Residents are happy and there is lots of wildlife there.”
Miss Davies said that many local businesses would also suffer.
Wirral Council was unable to comment on the situation.
