Missing aunts and uncles who cannot travel over to the island are being blamed for wedding receptions drying up at an island venue.
But he says the Pulrose based club has basically been bunkered over potentially lucrative matrimonial celebrations during the Covid crisis.
’We were left in a very deep hole’ said Mr Vipond, who has been at the helm for exactly 20 years.
Although weddings can now legally take place in the island Mr Vipond claims many romantic couples are delaying tying the knot because of the continuing absence of loved ones from across who cannot travel here.
He told the Examiner: ’The comedian Peter Kay once told a joke along the lines of: ’’You won’t get a wedding on if you don’t get your aunts or uncles in.’’ ’
He added that for example ’brides may be waiting for border restrictions to be lifted so their sister can come over and be a bridesmaid or grooms may be delaying things before committing to their oaths’.
Mr Vipond said wedding receptions used to be a major attraction at the venue which includes the Meadows Pavilion.
To add insult to injury he pointed out that the Pulrose Bridge works were now causing a host of added headaches as there was now no through traffic.
Mr Vipond said he understood that the work - which is likely to take a year - has to be done but it was causing frustration.
’Obviously the work needs to be done with the bridge and that along with Covid, is nobody’s fault.’
On a happier note Mr Vipond, who is himself an experienced golf pro, said golfers were flocking to enjoy the 18-hole municipal course which is owned by Douglas Council. And players still enjoy a visit to the bar - traditionally known in golfing circles as the 19th hole - afterwards.
Mr Vipond said he had received help from the government during lockdown - but he said it amounted to the same amount of aid that went to taxi drivers and painters and decorators.
’The payment scheme was unfair because our overheads are huge’ he explained.
Mr Vipond said couples were still ’scared’ to make wedding arrangements until they know whether unrestricted travel to and from the Isle of Man will be allowed from the end of June.