People across Merseyside are 'devastated' following reports a luxury wedding venue will 'collapse' after a long running battle with Wirral Council.
Thornton Holdings Ltd, which operates Thornton Manor venue in Wirral, has previously been ordered to remove the three marquees by the UK Planning Inspectorate.
Despite appeals made by the company, the Planning Inspectorate recently said the marquees must be removed in six months - which bosses said would have "huge consequences" for the famous venue.
READ MORE: Luxury wedding venue will 'collapse' after marquee removal ruling
The decision has resulted in outrage across Merseyside as the "beautiful" building is the "best thing Wirral has".
ECHO readers were quick to slam the "disgusting" decision which would affect many people right across the Merseyside region.
Christine Houghton said: "They're not visible when you drive past, I live near the area and didn't even know they existed until I was taken to the walled garden to see Russell Watson.
"I was really impressed by the venue, the beautiful way it was laid out and by the staff who had made the garden look amazing.
"There is plenty of space there for people and wildlife to exist plus no noise pollution to homes from parties and concerts."
Mark Tildsley said: "A lot of good, hard-working people work at that place, not to mention the outside businesses that help to keep that grand old building going."
Lynne Hamilton added: "The loss of the venue will have a huge impact on many many businesses. The caterers , the florists, DJ’s, cleaners, groundsmen, staff, all the students employed at events.
"Not to mention local restaurants and small businesses that benefit from the thousands of visitors. Plus all the charities they supported.
"A shambles the whole thing, the marquees aren’t even visible to anyone."
Debbie Davies' daughter was supposed to be getting married in the lakeside this August, and many other readers were quick to comment about how they wanted to "book the venue".
One user said it was a "big shame for everyone, including the building".
It has previously been reported that back in 2011, Wirral Council wrongly sent Thornton Manor a document which stated the venue could build the three marquees on green space within the estate without any conditions attached.
But this was not what the planning committee had agreed at a meeting on the issue a year earlier, with the error blamed on an IT failure.
A long-running dispute on the matter began and the venue went to the High Court in 2018, which ruled in favour for the local authority.
Despite contesting this at the Court of Appeal, the High Court's decision was upheld.
One ECHO reader said the venue was the "best thing Wirral has going for it".
Danny Burns said: "I think people should group together and all contact the council. They have just basically said they will give them six months before they cripple the business. That’s shocking."
Sarah Newbould added: "Council should be helping businesses survive. I can’t see why they can’t keep the marquees up, it’s a beautiful setting not overlooked by anyone.
"They're not bothering anyone and by ordering them to be pulled down, if Thornton Manor goes under, the council loses business rates and another business employing people. Makes no sense."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
