A BRIDE-to-be has told how a devastating phone call left her wedding plans cancelled.

Cheryl McPike was supposed to be married at the Dalgarven House Hotel on February 29.

When a text came through from the venue’s owner asking Cheryl and fiancee Craig to contact her, the pair didn’t suspect the terrible news.

The couple were told that Dalgarven was closing its doors and their big day was cancelled.

Cheryl said: “It was absolutely gutting. It wasn’t something I expected to hear. Just three weeks before the date.”

Cheryl said they had no inkling that something was amiss with the country house hotel, having initially placed their booking in October 2018.

The venue had gone through a change in management last year.

On December 21 last year, a post to the hotel’s Facebook said the year had been a difficult one but that the staff hope 2020 “will be a fantastic year”.

There were also plans for painting and renovation to take place in the first week of this year.

Cheryl said: “They had always reassured us that everything would be fine.

“Craig called the owner back to try and get answers but didn’t get very far.”

She said that, having spoken to others, she believes a falling out has taken place between the owner and management and this is what has led to the Dalgarven’s closure.

The 34-year-old support worker said: “The staff have all lost their jobs. One of the girls who lost their job is friends with my sister’s sister-in-law, and luckily she was telling her new manager about our situation.”

This led to the manager from the Lochgreen House Hotel contacting Cheryl because they had her wedding date available.

Cheryl said: “We’re very lucky. We called around and there wasn’t much, especially to keep it in budget.

“It has cost us more and the worse thing is how much out of pocket we are.”

A former staff member told the Herald that the decision to close had been made by the owner of the hotel.

The phone number for the establishment, housed in a historic inn, no longer rings and the Herald has received no response to email inquiries.

Other wedding venues have offered to help those who have had their plans scuppered.

James Smith, owner of Roebank Hotel in Beith, said he went along to the Dalgarven but it was all boarded up.

He told the Herald: “I did meet a couple of people who were there. Some have booked with us and we’d be happy to help. Support and help the best way we can. We have a lot of availability.”

Another concern is the payment of invoices to suppliers of the hotel. Barrie Brown, owner of Inotech Solutions in Kilbirnie, said he has a payment outstanding since October.

He said: “I just wonder how many other suppliers are in the same boat.”