The South London Beer and Cider Festival in Croydon has been abruptly cancelled, leaving attendees disappointed and raising concerns about the legitimacy of the organizers. With no trace of the organizers in Companies House records and a lack of ticket sales, the festival's cancellation has left many wondering about the credibility of the event.
Croydon Beer and Cider Festival Cancelled: Organizers and Event Legitimacy Questioned
( Credit to: Insidecroydon )
The South London Beer and Cider Festival in Croydon has been abruptly cancelled, leaving attendees disappointed and raising concerns about the legitimacy of the organizers. With no trace of the organizers in Companies House records and a lack of ticket sales, the festival's cancellation has left many wondering about the credibility of the event.
The festival, which was scheduled to take place on March 1 and 2, was promoted by Croydon BID, a business improvement district. However, upon closer inspection, it seems that the festival organizers, Tap and Spile Events, and another associated company, Epsom Events, do not exist according to Companies House records.
Those who attempted to book tickets for the festival were met with a "Sold Out" message, despite the event being cancelled. An email was sent to ticket holders from someone named "Phil" at the email domain epsomfoodfestivial.co.uk, which also does not appear to be a legitimate business.
Low Ticket Sales and Lack of Verification
In an email to ticket holders, the organizers explained that the event had to be cancelled due to low ticket sales. Only 127 tickets were sold, far below the expected attendance of around 1,000 people. The organizers expressed regret for the inconvenience and promised to issue refunds to ticket holders.
It is unclear why Croydon BID listed the South London Beer and Cider Festival on their website without conducting proper checks on the organizers. Croydon BID has since claimed that they have no affiliation with the festival or its organizers, stating that their website features events taking place in Croydon town center, including those not run by the BID.
Companies House records show no current trading company named "Tap and Spile," and the Tap and Spile Events website is a placeholder with a "Coming soon" message. Additionally, a company named Epsom Events Ltd, registered in Epsom, was dissolved in 2021, and it is unclear if it is related to the festival organizers.
Disappointment and Questions
The cancellation of the South London Beer and Cider Festival has left beer and cider enthusiasts in Croydon feeling let down and questioning the legitimacy of the event's organizers. With established beer festivals already taking place in the borough, it is unclear why this particular event was promoted without proper verification.
The Fairfield Halls, where the festival was supposed to take place, claims to have no knowledge of the event or its cancellation. The organizers have not announced any plans to reschedule the festival or address the concerns of disappointed ticket holders.
This incident serves as a reminder to always be cautious when booking tickets for events and to verify the legitimacy of the organizers before making any financial commitments.