A DEVESTATED couple have been left heartbroken after their dream plan to tie the knot was among a raft of last-minute cancellations at a hotel closed under mysterious circumstances.

Several other families have also reported having major events booked at the Chichester Hotel, in Wickford, cancelled at short notice.

The Gazette's sister paper The Echo understands the hotel is set to house asylum seekers but was assured last week by owners Zifhan and Imran Zeman it would not be closing.

A reporter attended the hotel yesterday to speak with the owners but was told no-one was available to comment.

A sign could be seen placed on the front doors stating the hotel was closed.

Daniel Bing, 32, and Amy Oxborrow, 29, were due to get married at the hotel on August 6.

They have been together eight years after meeting in a special needs club, and just recently moved out into their first home in Grays.

Danny’s dad, Steven Bing, 59, said the couple were so looking forward to tying the knot and he can’t believe what has happened.

They spent close to £5,000 on their big day.

Steven said: “It is disgusting.

“They had saved up for three years for their wedding, so they are heartbroken and devastated.

“None of us ever expected this and now Danny and Amy have had their big day ruined.”

In an email seen by the Echo, the Chichester Hotel did not confirm the reason for any of the last-minute cancellations.

It read: “All events have now been cancelled, I apologise for any inconvenience.”

Another couple from Wickford, who asked not to be named, were due to be celebrating their golden wedding celebration this week before they received an email of Monday telling them events had been cancelled.

They said: “We were shocked, devastated and angry when we found out.”

Morgan Hawes, a 20-year-old from Rayleigh, was another who had her 21st birthday party, planned at the hotel this Saturday, cancelled.

She added: “I was so disheartened to find out that my 21st birthday party had been cancelled just a few days before the event.

“We have attempted to call the owner on multiple occasions with no response.”

Those who have had events cancelled at the hotel say they have yet to receive refunds.

The Echo also made a number of phonecalls to the owners but received no reply.

A GoFundMe has been set up by Danny and Amy's families to help them fund for another wedding venue, to donate, visit https://bit.ly/3o1qIK8