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Gretna Green usually hosts thousands of weddings each Year ,

Gretna Green Scotland, The Wedding capital, hosts More Than 3,000 ceremonies each Year - But as a "Ghost Town " in lockdown is.

The Area owes its popularity to its location directly North of The Border to England.

It was adopted at a destination for young lovers after The Marriage Act of 1754 in England, the prohibited marriages, the party was without parental consent, if either is under 21.

A tradition developed that the couples travelling over The Border to Scotland, had less stringent laws.

It is, and remains, a magnet for marriages. To Dumfries and Galloway Council, About 12 % of the Scottish weddings each Year take place in the Area .

That was calculated recently

Alasdair Houston, Chairman of Gretna Green Ltd, which runs a number of companies in the Area - The Most famous of The Old forge location for a wedding.

He Said , there is No Doubt that was the Area was "dramatically" affected by lockdown.

"tourism, hospitality and wedding-business activity was cancelled, since 23. March," He Said .

"usually in The Spring and Early Summer The Village is a hive of activity, full of energy and excitement as we welcome thousands of visitors from all over The World .

"We would also normally the weddings of many couples hold on to one of The Most emotional and important days of your life. "

the Early Summer would, in General, the visitors will see currents in the Area

But , by 2020, a very different experience.

"This Year , it is like a Ghost Town ," He Said .

"It feels like The Heart of The Village was bruised and temporarily stopped beating. "

His own operations, were hit hard.

He Said The Business is his income, had lost all, But was still "significant cost, so that we can burn cash quickly.

"On a business level, you can't plan for the whole world shut down at once. "

He Said the same applies to many other companies in the Gretna Area and Dumfries and Galloway.

Mr Houston said The Wedding industry was a "significant economic multiplier benefits for the entire region".

But what of the would-be spouses who have had to hold their biggest day?

He Said he had to help a team, had worked in The Last three months, "tirelessly" to couples to plan their ceremonies.

While this "expensive, time-consuming and emotionally demanding," He Said , the goal was to pairs of "what you want".

"The vast majority very interested to re-plan your wedding With Us , you can still be a part of Gretna Green heritage," He Said .

"given that Gretna Green is home to approximately 10% of all weddings in Scotland, this was a big task to plan as we already have approximately 700 weddings to date.

"We believe that many more choose to a new appointment, can be enjoyed until such time as proper hospitality, again. "

He added that there are some positive signs.

"the people are the ones moved with a view to the future, when this is all over, and a significant number of new wedding enquiries come via The Team , as well as re-scheduling," He Said .

"Our buildings are empty, But some teams are very busy. "

Gretna Green is usually a "hive of activity"

In the meantime, from a position So Close to The Border , Mr Houston, the pace is straight-restrictions lifted by the Scottish and UK government closely.

"Any differences between the schemes in England and Scotland would be very confusing and difficult," He Said .

"Most of our couples are not from England: do you see the Scottish news or read a newspaper in Scotland, and it is unfair to expect that you follow the guidelines from both sides of The Border .

"It is really important that all the political point-scoring is put on the page, while the life fundamentals are now more threatened than life. "

gretna, coronavirus lockdown measures, coronavirus pandemic, weddings, gretna green

Source of news: bbc.com