UB40’s booking agents, Neil O’Brien Entertainment, has said the debacle at the Ventnor Winter Gardens last night – when over 200 ticket holders were turned away – was solely down to the venue and promoter.
The agent told OnTheWight it was the venue and promoter who’d provided the online ticket agencies with the saleable capacity, “The blame lies firmly with them,” he said.
Management: “Loyal fans deserve explanation”
A statement from the band’s management was also issued today. It read,
“UB40 and their management are bitterly disappointed that the Ventnor Winter Gardens venue and the show’s promoters, Rock & Roll Enterprises, oversold our show on Tuesday, 19th May.
“This led to approximately two hundred fans to arrive at the venue being turned away. While the venue and promoter have already accepted full responsibility, we currently await a full explanation as to how they ever allowed this situation to occur. This is the very least our loyal fans deserve.”
Agent: “Unprofessional situation”
A spokesperson from UB40’s booking agents Neil O’Brien Entertainment said,
“We are deeply disappointed with the handling of the UB40 concert at Ventnor Winter Gardens. We hold both the venue and promoter responsible for the considerable inconvenience they have put UB40 and, more importantly, their fans through. Despite the venue and promoter already accepting full responsibility for this unprofessional situation, we would like to make it clear it was the venue and promoter who provided the ticket agencies with the saleable capacity. The blame lies firmly with them.”
What is the capacity?
A question mark over the capacity of the venue has been raised by many people today.
The sale particulars for the venue, before it was sold by the Isle of Wight council to Kevin Sussmilch for £1, state a seated capacity of 400.
OnTheWight has sought clarification from the Isle of Wight council, who say the capacity is governed by fire regulations.
