Wedding venues, suppliers aid couples left in lurch by closure of Belair Park Country Club

A DAY ago Candice Jarrad was left heartbroken when she was told her dream wedding at Belair Park Country Club would not go ahead. But now the bride-to-be is one of many whose special days will be rescued by the goodwill of the SA wedding industry.

• ORIGINAL STORY: Closure leaves couples without venue

A DAY ago Candice Jarrad was left heartbroken when she was told her dream wedding at Belair Park Country Club would not go ahead.

But now the bride-to-be is one of many whose special days will be rescued by the goodwill of the South Australian wedding industry.

Sfera’s Park Suites & Convention Centre, Invitations for all Occasions and Sporting Car Club of South Australia were among wedding suppliers offering free or discounted venues or services to couples affected by the closure of the Belair venue, which was placed into administration on January 16, leaving as many as 20 engaged couples without a venue.

Belair Park Country Club was placed in administration on January 16.

Simon Miller, from administrator Clifton Hall, told The Advertiser the decision to close down the venue, which is located on State Government-owned land, was made on Wednesday after “an urgent review of the financial position”.

He confirmed the Belair National Park Golf Course had also gone into administration, with fairways now closed to the public.

He was unable to confirm the amount of debt owed to creditors of both companies.

“The country club will be servicing a couple of functions in the next couple of days as well as three weddings in February, but beyond that it will be ceasing to trade,” Mr Miller said on Wednesday.

While Ms Jarrad, whose wedding to fiance Shane Sutton was to be held at the ill-fated venue on March 24, said she was “just devastated” by the closure, she had been contacted by venues offering to help less than 24 hours after the news broke.

“Everyone has been very sympathetic and kind,” she said.

Candice Jarrad and Shane Sutton with son Trey, 18 months, at their Seacombe Gardens home. Picture: Tom Huntley

Sfera’s Park Suites & Convention Centre general manager Michael Sfera said they would price match their packages for any couples who were out of pocket and without a venue.

He said they already had a few tentative bookings with couples impacted by the closure.

“We’ve had about four or five brides contact us ... we are just trying to do everything we possibly can,” he said.

Invitations for all Occasions owner Tina Douvartzidis said their business at Highgate would print amendment cards for brides for free.

“We offered the same service when (wedding venue and cafe) Entropy (closed) last year,” she said, adding that the collapse of a wedding venue was “heartbreaking for brides”.

“You want everything perfect and it (reprinting invitations) is an added expense. If it is something small I can offer to help them and take the pressure off, it is the least I can do.”

Sporting Car Club of South Australia functions and facilities manager Ella Maughan said they would also offer aggrieved couples the use of their function rooms.

She said their largest room at the Unley venue could accommodate 150 seated guests.

“We’ve got three function rooms here at our venue and we are happy to do some deals for the couples who don’t have anywhere to marry,” she said.

“Our room rates are fairly low and we do club-priced drinks. We don’t have in-house catering, so they’d have to bring their own catering in or we can help find one.”

The first creditors’ meeting will be held at 12pm on January 29 at the King William St offices of Clifton Hall.

Belair Park Country Club has gone into administration.

WHAT DOES VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION MEAN?

– Voluntary administration means the company’s management has asked a third party to come in and take over the running of the company and to assess its future prospects.

– Administrator Clifton Hall has already indicated that the Belair National Park Golf Course has closed its doors while the Belair Park Country Club would service functions in February before ceasing trade.

– Creditors of both companies, including those who have paid deposits for functions, have until 4pm today (Thursday) to submit their claims for money owed to them.

– The administrators will hold their first meeting on Monday, but the crucial meeting is the second creditors’ meeting, which must be held within five weeks. This is when a report on the company’s affairs must be presented and a decision regarding the company’s future is made.

That may involve a deed of company arrangement proposal, which would hand back control to the company’s directors or liquidation of the company.

– A voluntary administration can continue for an indefinite period. If any payment is made, the administrator is paid first, then secured creditors (creditors who hold a security interest over a company’s assets), then employee entitlements, and finally unsecured creditors (including those who have paid deposits for functions at Belair).