Inside Amir Khan’s £11.5m ‘Dubai-style’ wedding venue as it hosts first big day after it was seen surrounded by rubbish
AMIR Khan’s £11.5million wedding venue has finally hosted its first marriage after it was spotted surrounded by rubbish.
The lavish Dubai-style tower is actually in Bolton and is next to a hand car wash.
It was first revealed in January and it faced further criticism after the surrounding roads were full of fly-tipped rubbish.
Back in March, weirs were still visible on the metal corrugated roof.
It was set to launch that month but the first wedding took place on May 18.
Former boxer Amir, 37, wasn’t at his venue, he was in Saudi Arabia for the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight.
But he said: “The Balmayna’s doors have finally opened.”
Videos show the lavish marble floors and chandeliers inside as formally dressed staff in bow ties served guests.
The bride arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and the groom in a Rolls-Royce.
Guests were saved fruit canapés as they arrived as a violist performed to the guests.
A Balmayna spokesperson said: “The first love story at the Balmayna.
“So elegant, so magical, simply a dream.
“We wish our bride and groom the most happiest of blessings.
“Such a stunning backdrop for your memories.”
The Balmayna – which translates as Enamelled from Arabic – is in Washington Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Former ring king Khan wed Faryal Makhdoom, 32, 10 years ago.
The former welterweight and light-welterweight champ and US model – worth an estimated £31million – have three kids together.
Previously, locals have slammed the extravagant site.
Some said it doesn’t fit in with the area – and that it appears as though it should be in Dubai – while others said it looks a decade older than it is.
The glass-fronted building is said to show off greenery and floral designs inside, alongside a water feature inside.
Amir Khan's boxing career
AMIR Khan shot to fame as an amateur, aged just 17, when he won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics, becoming Britain's youngest boxing Olympic medalist.
He made his professional debut against David Bailey in July 2005.
In 2007, he was named ESPN prospect of the year.
He later became one of the youngest ever British professional world champions, winning the WBA title at the age of 22.
On 6 December 2008, Khan scored a comeback win against Oisin Fagan with a second-round stoppage; Khan won the vacant WBA International lightweight title.
It was announced on 8 April 2009 that Khan would move up to the light-welterweight division to fight Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA light-welterweight title on 18 July. Khan won by unanimous decision and became the third-youngest Brit to win a world title, at the age of 22.
In early 2016, it was announced that Khan is moving up two weight divisions to middleweight, to fight Canelo Álvarez.
Khan lost to Álvarez by way of knockout in round six.
On 13 May 2022, Khan announced his retirement from boxing with a record of 34 wins from his 40 fights.
Khan received a two year ban in April 2023, backdated to April 2022, after a doping test revealed the presence of ostarine following his fight against Kell Brook.
The tribunal ruling over the case accepted Khan’s argument that the violation was not intentional
It’s said to boast “state-of-the-art lighting”, sound systems and palm trees.
One local Rakhee said: “It’s next to a dump.”
A second – called Rahila – said: “The design is about 10 years out of date.”
Yet another said: “It’s like a building from Dubai.”
A fourth said: “Beautiful design.”
The venue’s website says the site will be able to host “a wedding like no other in the UK” and promises it will exceed expectations.
It reads: “This wedding venue is the brainchild of Amir Khan, the world champion boxer, ensuring a touch of magnificence and excellence in every celebration.”
Khan rose to fame after claiming silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The now-37-year-old lost to Kell Brook in a catchweight bout in Manchester in 2022 but was later banned for two years for testing positive for Ostarine.