Community centre gets marriage licence (From Southend Standard)

Community centre gets marriage licence

3:40pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

A community centre has continued its renaissance by offering couples a chance to get married there.

The Leigh Community Centre, which was saved when town residents agreed £5 extra on their council tax this year so the town’s council could take it over, has recently secured a marriage licence.

The centre, in Elm Road, will be able to hold ceremonies in rooms four, seven, and its lower hall.

Town Council chairman Carole Mulroney said: “We thought we’d go for the licence to keep things local as we know how horrendously expensive weddings can be.

“The centre is a big asset to the town and there are not many places here in Leigh that are as big as this so we can offer couples a good venue.
 

“Hopefully we will see our local cake makers and florists benefit from this and the service could be a good spin off for those traders.

The centre can already host wedding receptions, and management will offer couples a package deal that includes both reception and ceremony in the cost.

Since the council took it over after Southend Adult Community College moved out, it managed to get a licenece for the venue to host functions, performances, and parties with a temporary bar.

Traders were looking for an upturn in business following the announcement.

Gemma Vickerage, manager of Love Cupcake and Cheri Bakewell, on Rectory Grove, said: “It’ll be a service for local people and it will be good for local businesses if those getting married use us local suppliers too.