A UNIVERSITY student who booked afternoon tea at Prested Hall fears her reservation may be cancelled after reports the venue had ceased trading.

The hall also hosts corporate events, Christmas parties and weddings, with a weekend wedding fair already cancelled.

The student, who asked not to be named, said she was told the venue had to cancel her initial booking earlier this month "due to maintenance work being carried out".

She said: "I was told I could rearrange for October 1 onwards so I rebooked for October 5.

"I did think the situation was odd as surely they would've known about maintenance work being carried out when I booked on September 7.

"My friend and I have paid a total of £10 as a deposit and I have heard nothing more from them so I have been shocked to see the story."

The partner of one staff member told the Gazette staff had been told they were no longer needed.

They said: "They didn't tell their staff they were closing until the morning when they showed up for work then immediately got sent home.

"They had a wedding fair planned [on Sunday] which loads of people turned up for to find the venue is closed."

Attempts by the Gazette to contact Prested Hall via phone, email and Facebook have gone unanswered.