Waltham Place

I would like to share my extremely disappointing experience with CITY OF PRAISE, which is run by the Osakwe brothers, James and John. Sadly, this venue operates like a scam, and I urge anyone considering booking here to think twice. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that many of the agreements made prior to the event were not honored. The venue was in a shocking state of disrepair and uncleanliness. We were provided with tables that were not only dirty but also had bird droppings on them, as did the chairs. To make matters worse, several tables had broken legs, posing a serious hazard. The mandatory security that we're required to pay for was essentially nonexistent. They lounged around during the entire event and did not fulfill their responsibilities, leaving us feeling vulnerable and unprotected. Communication with the management was consistently poor—responses were slow, and they seemed indifferent to our concerns. It took them 3-4 weeks to send me an invoice that I requested immediately after making the payment, which is unacceptable. Additionally, we were inappropriately pressured to haul over 100 stacked chairs from their back garden into the main hall, or else risk losing our security deposit. This was a troubling experience, and we have video evidence of us dragging each chair to comply with their demands. Yet, we still did not receive our full security deposit refund as promised. Guests at our event voiced complaints about various issues, including the appalling state of the toilets and kitchen. The overall experience was not only incredibly frustrating but also humiliating. I urge anyone looking at this venue to be cautious. There are numerous similar reviews from others who have faced the same issues. The Osakwe brothers need to be held accountable, and their operation needs to be scrutinized thoroughly. Avoid CITY OF PRAISE to save yourself the hassle and disappointment that we had to endure.