A pregnant mum claims she was left in tears after the venue she booked for her baby shower failed to open.
Keira Horsfield says she booked the venue to celebrate her new arrival three months in advance.
The 20-year-old claims she paid a £50 deposit and personally confirmed the booking twice with the venue’s manager, including a face-to-face meeting in late November.
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Keira, who is 34 weeks pregnant, says she was repeatedly reassured that the baby shower, scheduled for Saturday (10 Jan), was secure.
But when she arrived at The Barnhouse in Stockport, Cheshire, to set up, she said it was closed, leaving her scrambling to find another venue for 30 guests.
“When I turned up at 12 to set up, it was a cold day,” Keira, from Manchester, told What’s the Jam.
“I was wearing my dress, had my make-up done, I had decorations, food and a cake in my arms.”
She claimed: “The venue was in darkness, there was rubbish on the floor and a box of Christmas decorations on the table, like someone had almost just got up and left.
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“Me and my best friend stood outside for 30 to 45 minutes.
“We were knocking on all of the doors and asking neighbours and shopkeepers if they had the manager’s number.
“We rang the business number, left voicemails and sent texts.
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“Then I started to panic as I knew even if a staff member was to turn up, they’d have to clean the place up before we could even begin to set up.
“A few guests had started to arrive early and were met by me, nearly in tears, not knowing what to do.
“My heart dropped when I realised it wasn’t opening.
“My pregnancy has been high risk and being told it was likely I wouldn’t make it this far into the pregnancy, so this was all about celebrating with loved ones.”
The nursery practitioner managed to find another last-minute spot for the shower – but the change of location meant 15 of her guests couldn’t make it.
Keira claims The Barnhouse eventually offered her a refund after she complained.
The mum-of-two claimed: “I haven’t been directly in touch with the venue since.
“I haven’t had a reply or anything and I’ve been blocked on Facebook.
“I am extremely grateful I found another venue but I still feel really disheartened.
“It makes me worry it will happen again on other people’s special days.
“I chose The Barnhouse because it felt cosy and welcoming, filled with fairy lights.
“I went in and the manager confirmed everything with them – business was normal and the booking was secure with my deposit.
“They tried to encourage me to book food through them as well, at £20 per head.
“I declined and said I would rather do it myself and I’m glad I did or I would have ended up with no food as well.”
The Barnhouse has been approached for comment.
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