A HEARTBROKEN couple, who have seen their big day postponed five times, have been left saddened again after their venue suddenly closed.

The Strawberry Barn, near West Barns, announced yesterday (Wednesday) it would be shutting its doors.

Those behind the popular venue highlighted “the cumulative effects of the pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis” as having been “too much to bear”.

Lucy and Sam Benson were due to have a wedding ceremony at The Strawberry Barn in April – having seen it repeatedly sidelined due to the coronavirus.

However, they are now looking to find another venue after receiving the bad news yesterday.

Nicky Stannage, Lucy’s mum, described the news as “devastating”.

She said: “Lucy is not taking it well.

“It is, of course, devastating.

“It has happened so many times before and we thought this time, Covid is not over but it is manageable now.

“They have just bought a new house, they have got a honeymoon booked and because Sam is from Blackpool all his family are coming up.

“They have booked caravans and hotels round about Dunbar.

“They have organised to come up and it is not happening there.”

READ MORE: Strawberry Barn announces 'devastating' decision to close

Lucy, who grew up in Port Seton and attended Preston Lodge High School, and Sam live in Manchester and had planned to get married in April 2020.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has repeatedly seen their big day postponed, with plans to hold it on alternative dates also shelved.

The couple, who are both 24, tied the knot in October 2021 but were unable to be joined by family and friends due to coronavirus restrictions.

Nicky had paid more than £8,000 towards her daughter’s big day but is unsure when, and if, she will get any of the money back.

Alternative venues, including the Stair Arms Hotel, near Pathhead, The Prestoungrange Gothenburg, in Prestonpans, and Aberlady Village Hall have been in touch to try to help.

Nicky added: “We are not expecting people to give things for free – it is the real world.

“We have to really see how much money we can scrape together to see what we can afford.”

Lucy, who works for John Lewis, and Sam, who works as a barista, met while at university in the English city.

Nicky, who told the Courier that Craig Wood Catering had also been in touch to try to help, said the family were working hard to try to make alternative arrangements.

She said: “We have cancelled the florist – we cannot afford to have flowers.

“We are going to cancel the cake and going to try to club together, family members and friends, and see if somebody can make us a cake.

“It is going to be a very put together wedding.

“We will still have fun and celebrate but it is going to be really tricky.

“We have not got much time to do it.

“I’m disabled, there is a limit to what I can do.

“I am in a wheelchair, Lucy is in Manchester, and it is hard but we have got family and friends who will help us.

“A woman got in touch about an arch from her daughter’s wedding that we could have to decorate.

“We will do homemade stuff but it just seems all very unfair that they can take that money, hold it for three years and it is gone.”

A statement on The Strawberry Barn’s website highlighted they would be getting in touch with those impacted by the closure.

It reads: “This was a devastating decision to have to make, but at this point we have been left with no other option.

“The external factors make it no easier to bear and no less heart-breaking that things have come to this point, and we are so grateful to both the staff and customers who have stuck with us and offered their loyalty, support and understanding over the last three years.

“Anyone directly affected by the closure will be contacted personally by email, and we greatly appreciate your understanding while we do our absolute best to address everyone’s queries and concerns.”