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‘No refunds’ as SW promoter Stephen C goes under

Two UK Olly Murs shows and a concert by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) have been called off at the eleventh hour after their promoter, Dorset-based Stephen C Associates, went into liquidation.

In a statement, the company, incorporated in January 2014, says it is “not in a position to offer [ticketholders] a refund” to the approximately 40,000 people who had bought tickets, although ticket agency Gigantic is refunding customers for the two cancelled Olly Murs dates, in Exeter on 29 July and Bournemouth on 5 August.

Stephen C Associates is helmed by Stephen McManus, who also promoted the last two Upton House Music Festivals in Poole, Dorset. He is also a former director of Berkeley Square Ball Ltd, which led an unsuccessful crowdfunded attempt to revive the exclusive London ball of the same name, along with defunct events businesses Balm Lane Ltd, Balm Lane Events Ltd and SCM Events Ltd, each of which folded owing money to creditors.

Stephen C Associates’ most recent accounts showed a loss for the previous 12 months

Stephen C Associates’ most recent accounts, made up to 31 January 2016, showed a loss of £212 for the previous 12 months.

The BSO Last Night of the Proms concert, to have taken place on 30 July at Powderham Castle in Exeter, was to have raised funds for local charity Exeter Foundation. “In what was hoped to be a great weekend of vital fundraising for the foundation, the official charity of Exeter Rugby Club, it’s bitterly disappointing to hear the news that Stephen C Associates Limited, promoter of the two events, has ceased to trade, is insolvent and is expected to go into liquidation shortly,” reads a statement from the club. “The Foundation remain committed to working within the local community to help raise funds for a number of charities and organisations, not only here in Exeter, but across the wider region.”

McManus could not be reached for comment.

 


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