Wheels and Fins Festival goes into liquidation

Wheels and Fins Festival

The Wheels and Fins Festival Ltd has gone into liquidation.

Last month organisers announced the festival due to take place on September 7 and 8 at Joss Bay had been cancelled due to ‘financial constraints.’

A statement said: “It is with absolute heart-breaking agony that due to financial constraints on our small growing independent festival we have been forced into the devastating decision that Wheels and Fins festival 2019 has been cancelled.”

Now the festival, started by Broadstairs brothers Dave and Dan Melmoth, seven years ago has announced the liquidation- meaning ticket holders will not be receiving refunds unless they can claim from their provider for debit or credit card payments.

A statement from organisers says: “We have worked tirelessly, meeting with new investors and legal representatives to try and salvage Wheels and Fins, but it is with an unbelievable amount of sadness that we must inform you that the festival will be going into liquidation shortly.

“Creditors will receive notice of this from Quantuma LLP in due course, but should you require any information in the meantime they can be contacted on 01273 322400 or alternatively you can email [email protected].

“We have tried everything to avoid this outcome but have been unable to find a solution – to say we are devastated is an understatement. We have poured our hearts, souls and personal finances into the event as well as leaning heavily on private investors and friends. The pressure of trying to deliver an independent festival which Kent could be proud of has been immense. However, there is no avoiding the reality of our situation – poor ticket sales means that Wheels and Fins is no longer financially viable nor attractive to an investor.

“With the festival forced into liquidation we are truly sorry to say we are unable to refund any tickets. This is the worst part for us. Being unable to refund our audience, the people who have stuck by us and supported the festival, is a very painful experience for us, both as people and event organisers.

“We understand that this news will leave many of you angry and upset and we can only offer our genuine apologies. If there was any other way around this situation, we would have found it, but with ticket sales at the lowest they’ve ever been, it is simply impossible to salvage.

“We’d like to send a huge, heartfelt thank you to our audience, partners and suppliers and everyone who has supported Wheels and Fins Festival over the years.”

The Wheels and Fins facebook page has been deleted and the website is also offline.

For those who have made a deposit for or paid for goods or services by credit or debit card and the goods or services are not going to be received by the due date, they may be able to get the money back by claiming a refund from the card issuer.

Further information including on time limits that apply is available from the UK Cards Association Credit and debit cards: A consumer guide.

3 Comments

  1. Don’t worry, Dave will still have his surf school to fall back on now he’s taken your hard-earned cash and continued to do so long after he knew the festival wasn’t financially viable. What a winner!

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