Gwrych Castle applies for alcohol and music licences for weddings and functions

Gwrych Castle has announced plans to expand as a wedding and function venue.

The Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust has applied to Conwy Council’s licensing committee, seeking permission to play live music and serve alcohol for wedding parties, amongst other licences.

A spokesman for the trust explained the grade-one listed building was becoming more popular for functions and was looking to expand on a long history of holding events.

The trust hopes the plans will create jobs at the venue and be a welcome boost to local businesses.

“The castle has been obtaining temporary events notices for a decade, so applying for a premises license was recommended as a natural progression,” the spokesman said.

“It’s a small part of what we’re able to offer, but we would like our visitors to have the option.

“Gwrych Castle first opened as a visitor attraction in 1948 and had various bars and restaurants. The castle became well-known in the 1970s and 1980s for its medieval themed banquets and jousting events.

“We’re following the precedent set by neighbouring and local businesses to have the ability to open until 1 am for private functions, so we’ve applied to extend our current allowance and offering, which is currently until 10 pm.

“Our weddings are going from strength to strength following our announcement last year that we’re now able to hold civil ceremonies at

Gwrych Castle, so the licence will align with other wedding venues and will extend our current wedding offering to make the castle an even more attractive offering.”

He added: “We’re hoping that more jobs will be created as our offering expands, as well as local businesses and overnight accommodation being used by people attending and hosting private functions and events.”

The applications will be considered by the local authority at a later date.

The trust has also submitted a separate planning application to Conwy’s planning committee seeking permission for the retention of various fixtures and fitting as part of a listed buildings application.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter