A gig promoter who works with artists such as UB40 and McFly has gone bust.
Coventry-based M&B Promotions has ceased trading immediately with "deep regret”, leading to a number of event cancellations.
Among the gigs cancelled are UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Nish Kumar, McFly and some of John Bishop and Jason Manford's shows.
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Dates for Jason Manford's Like Me tour and John Bishop's Right Here Right Now tour are still going ahead, as it's only shows which were being arranged by M&B Promotions which have been cancelled.
M&B Promotions took to its official website to share the news of its closure, adding that all scheduled events had now been cancelled.
It added it is “deeply sorry” to those affected by the cancellations and thanked the artists and venues it had worked with over the years.
In the lengthy message online, M&B Promotions 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.
“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.”
Which events have been cancelled?
Events across the country have been cancelled due to the business closure, including McFly shows in Kettering, Gloucester and Lincolnshire.
The band took to Twitter to announce the news to fans and added: “We are so disappointed that we won’t be able to perform for you at these shows and for the inconvenience the cancellation is causing our fans”.
Comedian Jason Manford has had a number of shows cancelled too. He shared the news on Twitter and wrote: “I must just stress, I didn’t cancel these dates in Norwich, Swindon & Kettering this month.
“The promoter has disappeared if netizen can get hold of @mandbpromotions then please let them know they have 650 missed calls from my agent!”
Jason Manford's Like Me tour is still going ahead.
Also among the stars dealing with cancellations are UB40, Johnny Vegas, John Bishop and Craig David.
John Bishop and Jason Manford’s upcoming performances at Southport’s Victoria Park have been affected by the closure too, leaving fans “gutted”. John Bishop's Right Here Right Now tour is still going ahead.
One person took to Twitter after hearing the news and said: “Gutted that 'Comedy In the Park' has been cancelled. Was really looking forward to seeing @JasonManford @JohnBishop100 & co at Victoria Park, Southport this year.
“Had an email from @Gigantic saying I'll get a full refund so that's something I suppose #comedyinthepark”
How to get a refund
According to M&B Promotions, anyone who booked tickets to its events via easyticketing.co.uk should contact Paypal for a refund. Alternatively, you can speak to your debit or credit card provider too.
If tickets were purchased through another site, advice is to contact your point of purchase for a refund.
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