An events company which had been organising events in Southport says it is no longer trading.
M&B Promotions Ltd and our ticket platform Simple Ticketing Ltd had been promoting two events which were due to take place in Southport this Summer – UB40, and Comedy In The Park starring comedians including Jason Manford and John Bishop. The events were initially duer to take place last year but were postponed by the company which cited Covid restrictions.
M&B Promotions Ltd said: “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.”
The firm’s owners are now asking customers who have bought tickets to seek refunds through either Paypal or bank / credit card providers.
They said: “We have successfully delivered hundreds of events all over the country since 2019. With our final programme of events taking place in December 2021.
“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.
We have contacted all customers, artists, venues and suppliers to notify them of this terrible situation we have found ourselves in.
“We would like to thank the artists that have worked with us, the venues that have hosted our events and the thousands of people who have supported us by attending our past events.
“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.”
M&B Promotions Ltd had hired Victoria Park in Southport to host its UB40 and Comedy In The Park events.
Victoria Park in Southport was one of several venues across the country which was hired as a venue for the events.
But they say they had been ignored when they tried to discuss the events with M&B Promotions in recent months – and that they found about the firm’s liquidation at the same time as ticket holders.
Alan Adams, General Manager of Victoria Park Management Company said: “Along with ticket holders, the acts, their agents and all other venues, we were notified via an email from M&B Promotions on Tuesday 8th January at 3:02pm that all of their scheduled events for this year have been cancelled and that the company and its ticket platform have ceased operations.
“We understand and share the frustration and disappointment of people who have bought tickets and have struggled to obtain refunds from M&B Promotions.
“We have not received any payment of venue fees from M&B Promotions for these events.
“Victoria Park was one of a number of venues across the country which were booked for these events by M&B Promotions.
“As with all venue-only bookings, Victoria Park had no involvement other than providing the space for the third-party event. The event organiser, M&B Promotions, was solely responsible for organising its own events, booking acts, dealing with agents and selling tickets. All ticket revenue went to M&B Promotions and they were not selling them on behalf of Victoria Park. We were due to receive a set fee for the hire of the venue which we have not received.
“M&B Promotions were able to demonstrate to us that they had strong relationships with the agents of some of the country’s top performing artists and had previously run successful events at other venues across the UK, before the ownership of M&B Promotions changed in 2021.
“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.
“They contacted the park at the end of last year stating that they had a new production crew and were planning to visit in early January. This visit never materialised and despite numerous attempts, 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.
“Everyone associated with the park are very upset and frustrated by the news.
“We have some fantastic events scheduled to take place on the park this year and despite this setback, we will continue to work alongside other promoters to help make these events successful and help promote our wonderful town.”
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