A COMEDY festival planned for this summer has now been cancelled, with ticket buyers concerned over whether or not they will get their money back.

What was meant to be the first event of its kind was postponed last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the rescheduled event, planned for July 31 this year, has also been pulled with little explanation.

Frankie Boyle, Dara Ó Briain and Seann Walsh were just some of the comedians scheduled to perform.

UPDATE: Organisers of cancelled events speak out

A nineties music festival was also penned to take place on Hudson's Field the day before, July 30. This event has also been cut.

Both events were organised by Tiki Events Ltd which has now been placed into liquidation, the Journal understands.

In an email sent out to ticket holders, seen by the Journal, ticket website Skiddle said: "Antony Batty and Company LLP has been instructed by the directors of Tiki Events Ltd to place the company into liquidation.

"It is proposed that a virtual meeting of creditors will be held on March 28, 2022. At present the proposed liquidator is preparing the report to creditors which will be sent to creditors in due course.

"Ticket holders are advised that all funds for these events were sent directly to Tiki Events Ltd. This matter will be investigated by the duly appointed liquidator.

"Skiddle will continue to liaise with Antony Batty and Company LLP and will be in touch with ticket holders when we have an update. In the meantime, we politely request that you refrain from contacting us whilst we handle discussions with the insolvency company."

Salisbury residents have taken to social media to voice their confusion and concerns.

Peter Matthews told the Journal: "I bought two VIP tickets for the Salisbury Comedy Festival having seen some excellent acts at the Comedy club run in Amesbury.

"I appreciate the economic climate has been far from ideal for the hospitality industry and feel for both the organisers and those affected. I try to stay positive about reimbursement of my monies.

"What concerns me however is lack of information and the apparent playing around with the businesses that have been involved."

Salisbury City Council, responsible for event bookings at Hudson's Field, says the site had not been booked for the festival at all.

Clerk Annie Child said: "In 2021 a provisional booking was made for a comedy festival on Hudson’s Field. 

"This booking could not be confirmed as the organisers were not able to satisfy the city council’s conditions for such a hire. 

"The organiser subsequently postponed the event due to Covid and so the provisional booking was made void.  The organiser told the city council that the event would now take place on July 30 and 31, 2022. 

"However, the city council has had no contact with the organiser during 2021 and therefore Hudson’s Field has not been booked as the venue for these events in July."

Nathan Muirhead, formerly of Tiki Events Ltd, has provided a statement on the matter, which you can read here.

Have you been affected by this? Get in touch: newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk

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