Key role for Council’s Registration Service in £30m boost to economy

 

Cheshire East Council’s Registration Service is playing a key role in the Borough’s booming wedding industry.

The number of ceremonies has steadily increased by 30 per cent since 2009 and, along with other local businesses, the Registration Service helps to contribute £30m to the local economy.

About 1,500 weddings will take place in 2014 – an increase of 2.3 per cent on the prior year.

This success is due in large part to a more proactive approach by the service and its commitment to developing strong partnerships with the private sector. The team has worked closely with Cheshire Bride, Pink Weddings and the 70-plus approved premises licence holders to grow the weddings programme significantly throughout the Borough.

October saw the fifth annual approved premises seminar at which Cheshire East Registration Service and approval holders got together to discuss ways to promote Cheshire East as a desirable place to get married. The seminar has been central to cementing the successful joint-working approach.

The team has also stolen a march on other local authorities by actively marketing the Borough as a wedding destination at major wedding shows up and down the country.

A website www.yourceremony.org.uk has been set up alongside a high-quality brochure listing the Borough’s many and varied approved wedding venues.

To cope with the growing demand, the team has increased staffing of the ceremony booking telephone line. The line has now been extended to 6pm on weekdays to cover peak hours.

In addition, the team spotted a gap in the market. By using the Silk Room at Macclesfield Town Hall and the Mayor’s Reception Room at the Municipal Buildings in Crewe, it can now offer a range of ceremonies to meet all tastes and budgets. To date, more than 100 couples have chosen to take advantage of the new facilities.

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member for localism and enforcement, said: “The wedding industry is an important part of the Cheshire East economy and we have a wide variety of outstanding venues to get married in.

“Our registration service has worked hard and closely with venue providers to make the Borough a destination of choice for couples on their big day, regardless of budget. This is an excellent example of the Council working hard to put residents first through partnership working and listening to feedback from local people.”