A LAVISH star-studded bash marked the relaunch of Peckforton Castle in true showbiz style.
Brit award winner Emeli Sande, whose debut album sits at number one in the charts, and soul and R&B star Lemar were the headline acts at the glittering relaunch party on Thursday night.
More than 300 guests, including soap stars from Coronation Street and Emmerdale, were treated to free champagne and canapes following their red carpet arrival at the historic Cheshire venue.
Lemar took to the stage at 9pm telling the excited crowd: “It’s a special night, it’s a celebration!”
His 40-minute set included the hits 50/50 and If There’s Any Justice, as well as a very popular version of Cee Lo Green’s Forget You.
Emeli Sande’s much-anticipated performance started at 10pm and included the hit singles Heaven and Next To Me from her number one album Our Version Of Events.
She said: “I don’t think I’ve performed in a castle before. When I saw it I couldn’t believe how beautiful the setting was.”
Celebrity guests on the night included Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) and Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), as well as Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher (Andy Sugden) and Chris Bisson (Jai Sharma).
Former Liverpool FC players John Barnes and Jan Molby were also at the bash along with some of the cast of Desperate Scousewives.
The party celebrated the completion of the castle’s £6m restoration and refurbishment work following last summer’s arson attack by groom Max Kay.
Joining the Naylor family on the night were friends, special guests from the community – including Tarporley Vics FC – and business figures from the region.
Managing director and owner Chris Naylor said: “The castle has been restored and is looking better than ever.
“Thursday night was a celebration that was certainly befitting of Peckforton Castle and everyone who attended could not be more complimentary.
“Most were saying it was the best party they have ever been to! The whole event could not have been any better and ran more than smoothly from start to finish, and I would like to thank our wonderful team whose efforts were invaluable.”
