Fans still waiting for concert refunds

Fans are still waiting for refunds for an outdoor gig starring UB40 almost two months since it was cancelled.

The concert was supposed to be held on May 31 at Banks's Stadium, and organisers said they would refund customers within four weeks, but some are complaining that the deadline has passed with no sign of the cash.

A total of 18,000 tickets went on sale to see an ambitious line-up including chart-toppers N-Dubz and Tinchy Stryder.

But the event - the first of its kind to be staged in the football stadium for 18 years - was called off by organisers Stourbridge-based Unique Live Events just two weeks before if was due to take place.

UB40 fan Sarah Kightley, from Northampton, is among those still waiting for her cash.

The 37-year-old said she has previously been assured by promoters her refund was on the way but nothing had turned up.

"An awful lot of us are still waiting for refunds. Some people have contacted trading standards," she said.

"I have travelled all over the world for years to see UB40 and this is the most hassle I have ever had. I have recently seen the band in Bermuda and the USA, yet the biggest problem is just an hour up the road.

Chris Silcox, one of the directors of Unique Live Events, said today the firm refunded a lot of tickets this week, and those who have not received one yet are customers who have not sent in their name and address.

He said: "We cannot do the refunds until they send us their address. As far as I am concerned, all the refunds I know of have been sent out this week.

"We have refunded a considerable amount of tickets this week."

He said anyone who has not yet received their cash back should email their name and address to refunds@springhappening.com

Spokesman for Banks's Stadium Dan Mole said he wanted to emphasise that everyone who had bought tickets to the gig from the stadium had received a refund.

He said: "Everyone who bought tickets via us, as a venue, has been contacted and refunded."

The Express & Star reported last month that Unique Live Events lost about £135,000 through the cancellation of the open-air show down to "production issues".

The decision to cancel the concert came after ticket prices were dropped from £60 to £35 to avoid out-pricing younger fans.