Ticket holders for planned UB40 and Comedy in the Park events this summer have been told they will not receive their money back, after the promoter announced it had closed down due to financial difficulties.
M&B Promotions Ltd and sister company Simple Ticketing Ltd have claimed on their website that it is “no longer viable for us to continue trading.”
However OTS can reveal both companies have connections to another promoter, Showtime Promotions that went bust in 2019, also leaving thousands out of pocket with social media users now claiming the events were a “scam” and money has been “stolen”.
Comedy in the Park was scheduled to take place in Victoria Park this coming June, while UB40 were planned for just a few days later. The shows were originally scheduled for last year but delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ticket holders for both shows have been told to contact their banks to seek chargebacks, as no refund will be provided by the company.
The collapse of the promoter has affected multiple shows around the country.
A statement on the promoter’s website read: “It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that we must announce the cancellation of all of our scheduled events, and the end of operations for M&B Promotions Ltd and our ticket platform Simple Ticketing Ltd.
“We were amongst many high-profile event organisers forced to reschedule many events due to the COVID 19 pandemic. With vast amounts of finance already tied up with artist deposits, suppliers, venues and marketing this has put a huge financial strain on the company.
“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, this combined with the extreme logistical and financial setbacks caused by the pandemic mean it’s no longer viable for us to continue trading.
“To those who have been let down by this situation, we are deeply sorry. Ticket holders for any cancelled event who purchased tickets via easyticketing.co.uk should contact either Paypal for a refund or your bank/credit card provider to administer a charge back. If tickets were purchased anywhere else, please contact your point of purchase.”
However a former company director, Melissa Austin, previously sat on a company board with Daniel Nelmes, the man behind Showtime Promotions.
Now thousands of customers have taken to social media to demand further action against the company.
One other venue scheduled to hold an M&B event, Wicksteed Park has said: “Over recent months we have repeatedly tried to contact M&B Promotions to discuss these events and to try and gain assurances on behalf of those who have bought tickets.
“Unfortunately, M&B Promotions failed to respond to our requests to discuss the situation and our offer to help and support the delivery of these events.”