THE coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown has done immense damage to the hospitality and events industries, but wedding suppliers and bridal stores have said they have been given ‘little consideration’ which has resulted in a ‘complete obliteration’ of their industry.

Sales manager at The White Gallery in Ramsbottom, Demi Norris, said by now, wedding suppliers would usually be coming to the end of one of their busiest seasons, reaping the benefits from couples who would normally have tied the knot over the summer.

She said the UK’s wedding industry contributes to £14.7bn per year to the UK economy but has been given little consideration.

Ms Norris said: “We need to remember these cancellations are affecting people’s hopes and dreams - a wedding is a celebration of their love and union - and that’s before we even mention the financial heartache they will now face.

“The wedding industry being completely forgotten about and simply cast aside this year.

“We truly cannot see the logic behind the government treating a sector that contributes billions to the UK economy as though they do not exist.

“To add insult to injury there has been a complete failure to compensate wedding suppliers who have had nearly a full year of work snatched from them, while other companies and industries have received the same financial support even though they continue to make significant profits.

“Then to top if off we were told that our careers are simply ‘non-viable’, as we work in a creative industry - it’s beyond ridiculous.”

She says her team is determined to keep working their magic to give brides the treatment they deserve.

She added: “While it’s clear that something had to be done to control the spread of the virus, it’s still not clear how long the government expect the entire wedding industry to be left hanging by a thread,"

Official guidance on weddings under Tier 3 restrictions states just 15 guests are allowed at a ceremony, while receptions of any kind remain prohibited.