Hundreds still not refunded for cancelled Herts Fest

The first ever Herts Fest event was meant to take place at Herts County Showground in St Albans on August 15, 2021 - with tickets costing £60 on average. 

But after it was cancelled with just 10 days' notice, customers were "left in the dark" due to a lack of communication from the organisers.

More than 1,000 people were expected to attend but nearly a year later many have still not been refunded.

Hayley Gill, from Watford, has been trying to get £240 back for four tickets and an additional £120 her brother paid for two.

Herts Fest was meant to take place at Herts County Showground

She budgeted to buy the festival tickets as a thank you gift to her parents who “massively helped out” last year.

“I lost so much I can’t afford another £240 to buy them an alternative,” she said.

She also feels “frustrated” that despite chasing Herts Fest, Citizens Advice and even some of the headline acts, she has still not been refunded.

Several other customers have also contacted the Watford Observer over recent months questioning whether they will ever get their money.

Originally Herts Fest was cancelled due to “Covid staffing levels” and was rescheduled to an unspecified date this year.

READ ALSO: Herts festival goers fear they will not receive refund after cancelled event

The 2022 event has been cancelled after the company was liquidated – despite the organiser previously telling the Watford Observer “we are still here and not going anywhere”.

It is understood that some customers claim they have had their money back.

Adam Smith, one person in charge of the event, claims that roughly 70 per cent of people have had their money back after Herts Fest Ltd liquidated, providing documentation alluding to over £49,000 being returned.

READ ALSO: 'We are still here' - festival responds to angry customers after cancelled event

It is also claimed that a “legal process is still ongoing” to resolve the refunds delays.

Acts were legitimately booked for the event, with some even helping with its promotion.

But a PR person for DJ Pat Sharp, who was meant to perform, criticised the organisers and said Pat was never paid.

Organisers say that an email will be sent out this week to remaining customers to tell them how to go through a refund process.

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