A wedding venue which was threatened with closure after a drop in demand is back up and running.

Oakwood House, off Tonbridge Road in Oakwood Park, Maidstone, faced an uncertain future four years ago after business dropped from around 141 weddings at its peak to only 19 ceremonies in 2020.

Kent County Council planned to save money by relocating some of its staff into the 19th century manor to save money on office space and repair works.

Despite refurbishing the café and bar, toilets and 40 bedrooms as well as building a new suite named after the original owners, more work needed to be done to keep it running as a wedding venue.

In the last three years it has closed for refurbishment and has now reopened as the new home of the County’s Registration Services and couples can now once again tie the knot in its refurbished wedding suites.

During the cost of living crisis, the updated Victorian mansion is hoping to help with penny saving by offering ceremonies starting at just £265.

The venue includes The Study, which caters for up to 15 guests, the Garden Room, accommodating up to 40 guests and the Kentish Suite offering space for up to 80 guests.

Keeley and Daniel Sutton were the first couple to be welcomed into to the wood-panelled study room for their small and intimate ceremony, witnessed by family and friends.

“Everything at Oakwood was perfect,” Keeley said. “Not just the ceremony but the setting for photographs, inside and out in the gardens.”

KCC’s superintendent registrar Jane Collins added: “Every room has been refurbished to a high standard, yet we insisted on keeping our charges as low as possible. Planning your wedding at Oakwood House could offer you the option to have the wedding you want at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.”

Oakwood House found near Oakwood Park Grammar School at St Simon Stock Catholic School and is set among mature gardens and tall trees, giving couples a stunning backdrop for their wedding photographs.

The venue is wheelchair accessible with free parking for wedding parties.

Couples can register their interest in booking their special day by email to ceremonies.maidstone@kent.gov.uk.