A chandelier hanging from a corrugated metal ceiling awaits visitors to Amir Khan‘s much-derided luxury wedding venue, as the former boxer offered a first glimpse behind the scenes of the complex today.
The £11.5million tower in Bolton sits opposite a car wash and fly-tipping spot has previously been criticised as ‘looking like an office building’ and ‘tacky’.
The lavish complex – named ‘The Balmayna’ – boasts eye-catching features with glass walls, a waterfall and palm trees inside – along with greenery and a floral design.
Now open for couples wanting to tie the knot, it also promises on its website a ‘royalty experience’ and ‘a touch of magnificence and excellence in every celebration’.
Pictures from inside the tower have revealed what the rooms look like, with one including a grand chandelier hanging from a corrugated metal roof.
A look at Amir Khan ‘s luxury ‘Dubai-style’ wedding venue in his hometown of Bolton
One of the room features a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling, but wires can be seen on the metal corrugated roof connecting it and a smoke alarm
The former welterweight and light-welterweight champion married model Faryal Makhdoom in 2013
In another posh room with sofas and an armchair, books about designers Chanel and Louis Vuitton plus butterflies in a domed display case can be seen.
There are also candles and pamphlets about the venue called The Balmayna – which translates as Enamelled from Arabic.
A spokesperson for venue, which is based in the ex-boxer’s hometown in Washington Street, said: ‘Anticipation builds as we approach the grand reveal of The Balmayna’s exquisite charm.
‘Join us for an exclusive preview of our booking office, an elegant space with picturesque views. Let us make your dream come true, get in touch to arrange a viewing.’
The design has divided opinions with one fan likening it to a building in Dubai, where Khan partly resides.
Others on social media reacted less favourably to its imminent grand opening saying they had seen ‘better sheds’.
Another Facebook user said it looked ‘tacky’ while a second thought it was ‘horrific’.
A third simply said: ‘Classic example of money = no taste.’
Another local slammed it saying it looks 10 years out of date.
In January, those who lived in the area were far from happy with the design, with one person writing on Instagram: ‘It’s an absolute eyesore!!!! A blot on the landscape!!! It’s a huge lack of class! It also doesn’t look anything at all like the image portrayed.’
Another image showing what The Balmayna venue looks like shows a posh dinner table and cheers with fashion designer books
There are also candles and pamphlets about the venue called The Balmayna – which translates as Enamelled from Arabic.
Khan’s new venue is near two car washes and an auto body shop
The building, which is now open for bookings, is seen from the back next to a carpark
The building is seen from a distance near a car wash site and fly tipping site
Piles of rubbish dumped by fly-tippers surrounded the sight, spoiling its luxurious feel of a bride’s special day.
Broken fridges, settees and dirty mattresses were discarded against the perimeter walls of the lavish Dubai-inspired complex. While mounds of household rubbish were strewn across the streets leading up to the imposing structure.
The multi-million pound venture received a mixed response in January from residents.
Georgina Pickering said: ‘It looks a mess at the moment with all the rubbish around the sides and walls but that will all be gone by the time it opens.
‘The building is massive – like a giant greenhouse, the like of which you’d see in Dubai – and does look odd next to everything else around here but it’s an improvement on what used to be there.’
The 23-year-old mum of one added: ‘It’s not to my taste but it will appeal to some.’
Fizal Ahmed, 31, said: ‘I think it’s a waste of money.
‘I have no idea what it will cost to have a wedding there but I’m guessing Amir will need a lot of bookings to pay for it.
The luxury complex comes complete with glass walls, a waterfall and palm trees
The wedding venue was plagued by fly-tipping in January this year ahead of its opening
Piles of rubbish were seen piled up just outside the new luxury venue in Bolton
A filthy old fridge has been dumped outside the wedding venue
A filthy old mattress and an abandoned suitcase are seen among huge piles of rubbish near the complex
The multi-million pound venture has received a mixed response from residents, with some calling it an eyesore
‘Just look around at the state of the streets. Would really want to drive through this to get to it? It doesn’t create the best image.’
But local Iqbal Azal, 40, said: ‘I don’t mind it. Yes, it is big and loud but at least Amir is trying to improve the area.
Hopefully, it will create jobs for people living near to it. People have been fly tipping around it and there is litter everywhere so it doesn’t look great at the moment. Hopefully, it will look better when it’s finished.’
Adam Swindles, 28, said: ‘My fiancé is looking at potential wedding venues at the moment but this won’t be on her list.
‘We are having a church wedding and then have the reception out of town.
‘Driving down a side street to get to the wedding venue doesn’t create the best impression.
‘I’d prefer a long driveway leading up to a lovely-looking hotel.
‘Here you are greeted with broken fridges, settees and dirty mattress.’
Khan, now 37, has often made his way into the headlines outside of boxing, as well as a handful of controversies.
The former welterweight and light-welterweight champion married model Faryal Makhdoom in 2013, with the pair having two daughters, before announcing their separation in 2017.
Khan has been planning to build the venue since 2013 in a bid to ‘make Bolton better’
Khan – who is married to model Faryal Makhdoom (left) – has built an £11.5million wedding venue in Bolton that ‘looks like it belongs in Dubai’
Khan retired in 2022 after his knockout defeat to rival Kell Brook before failing a drugs test
In the same year, he accused heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua of having an affair with his wife.
He has since reconciled with Makhdoom and starred in a BBC TV series with her called ‘Meet the Khans’.
Last year, he also failed a drugs test following his fight with Brook after a banned bodybuilding substance called ostarine was found in his system.
After being banned from all sport for two years, he bizarrely claimed his positive test could have been from ‘shaking people’s hands’ and pleaded his innocence, claiming he ‘never had or never will cheat’.
Work on the site has taken far longer than expected, with Khan speaking about his plans to ‘make Bolton better’ by building the facility more than a decade ago.
The venue’s website reads: ‘Now situated in the heart of Bolton, this wedding venue is the brainchild of Amir Khan, the world champion boxer, ensuring a touch of magnificence and excellence in every celebration.
‘Let our seasoned wedding planners turn your vision into reality, ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed. Step into a world of natural beauty and elegance.
‘The Balmayna boasts a stunning floral garden theme, seamlessly blending nature’s charm with contemporary design.
‘The highlight is our real-life waterfall feature within the hall, creating a truly magical atmosphere.
‘Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, elevating your wedding experience to new heights.’