Festival Director Faces Backlash Over Unpaid Refunds Following Company Collapse
The son of Viscount Trenchard, Alex Trenchard, has provoked significant fury among music lovers after failing to refund tickets for a cancelled summer event. The incident revolves around Standon Calling, a music festival held at the family seat of Standon Lordship in Hertfordshire, which has featured notable pop acts including Charli XCX, Primal Scream, and Bryan Ferry over its 20-year history.
Liquidation Leaves Ticketholders in Limbo
Standon Calling Ltd, the company behind the festival where Alex Trenchard serves as a director, announced it had entered liquidation last year. The company's debts total more than £4.6 million, which includes £152,000 owed to ticketholders who purchased passes for the scrapped 2024 event. Initially, the 46-year-old director withheld refunds, promising to host a festival last year, but those plans ultimately fell through.
In response to growing impatience, Trenchard has since insisted that refunds will be forthcoming. He stated online, 'Plans are being developed for a new more financially sustainable format from 2026 (that works in a post-pandemic world where everything costs so much more). Clearly, those plans can only move forward once all ticketholders have been refunded. I hope to update more specifically on that shortly.'
Angry Reactions from Disappointed Festival-Goers
Ticketholders have expressed their frustration and disappointment following the liquidation announcement. One furious individual remarked, 'There goes our promised refund, mate. We definitely won't be seeing our money now.' Another noted, 'So anyone awaiting a refund can wave goodbye to it, why didn't you do this in the first place? You took people's money with the promise of a refund.'
The company's financial obligations extend beyond ticket refunds. Standon Calling Ltd owes £198,000 to HMRC and £18,000 to local police forces. Among the creditors is family friend and festival pioneer Lord (Alistair) Margadale, who is owed £50,000 for an investment loan.
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