The owner of a popular wedding and barmitzvah venue running for more than 40 years has announced that it will close in spring.

The Royal Majestic Banqueting Suite in Willesden will host its last simchah in April following the decision of owner Helen Goide to retire.

She said: "It has been in the family for four generations and it's time for me to stop. I have so much enjoyed serving the community all these years and it has been a privilege and a great pleasure."

Mrs Goide added she would miss all the chicken and smoked salmon suppliers - "and I'm sure the London Beth Din are going to miss me, too."

Mrs Goide stressed that anyone who had booked the Royal Majestic for a function beyond April had received a refund.

"We don't want to panic anyone," she added.

"We are continuing as normal till April with the same staff and the same suppliers.

"And we have a lot of functions booked between now and then."

The building in Willesden Green is owned by Mrs Goide, who is in her eighties, and she will be announcing what she plans to do with it once she has finalised her retirement plans.