GWRYCH Castle have spoken out after being granted their alcohol and entertainment licence.

The castle near Abergele, which hosted I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! In 2020 and 2021, will now be able to host late night weddings, birthdays and other events.

Conwy's Licensing Sub-Committee met last week to discuss the application for the licence.

Anthony Gregson, who made the application on behalf of the castle, told the sub-committee that the castle needed "more opportunities to open to the public." 

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He went on to say that they wanted to work with the community and offer amendments to reduce the licence in regards to opening times: Between Sunday and Thursday, to be finished by 11pm instead of 1pm, and on 1am on Friday and Saturdays.

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A spokeserson for Gwrych Castle said: "We’re delighted that the premises license has been given the go ahead so quickly. We already had a licence to hold civil ceremonies at the castle, so the approval of the premises license will extend our offering for things like wedding and birthday parties.

"We hope that this will bring more people into the town and local businesses will be used from food and drink to event decor and styling.

"We will be holding a special event to celebrate called Cocktails at the Castle during the summer, more details will be announced soon."

Nearby residents had written to the council, complaining about potential noise from the Abergele venue and claiming that the site’s hillside location acts like a ‘big speaker’ for any noise generated at the site.

One objector and nearby resident, who has castle membership themselves, said in the meeting they didn't support seven days a week licencing and said due to the castle location, noise was amplified. They also made reference to I'm A Celebrity, when it was hosted at the castle, saying the noise and light was disruptive. They also said ITV didn't consult with the residents - "there was no two-way consultation." [It was heard in the meeting that there is no re-requirement - when it comes to tv productions - for consultation, although it may be "best practice".]

They added that they wanted the estate to work together and wanted Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust to engage. They also said they supported the licence to 11pm. 

The licence was passed within 48 hours of the hearing last Thursday. 

The castle can now host live and recorded music, dance, and performance indoors and outdoors seven days a week. 

The trust can also provide late-night refreshments indoors and outdoors seven days a week and supply alcohol on and off the premises seven days a week. This will be until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

The trust said marquees will be erected in the castle’s surrounding grounds for weddings but added different areas will be used as the castle is gradually restored as part of the restoration effort.

Gwrych Castle recently held their first civic wedding ceremony. 

Jill Adamson and her partner Nick Clitheroe tied the knot at the venue on May 19. Their wedding reception was held at the White House in Rhuallt.

Since 2018, when the Grade I listed "at risk" castle was purchased by the trust, the charity has operated the site as a heritage visitor attraction and played host to multiple events to generate income towards maintenace and restoration.

On these occassions, a temporary events notice has been sought and been gained without "incident or complaint recorded."