Money back offer to irate Paul McCartney ticket buyers

May 29 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL Culture Company has been forced to offer refunds to around 10% of ticket holders for Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Sound gig on Sunday.

It comes after ticket holders campaigned against the Culture Company, after those who bought top-priced £75 tickets last year found they were to be seated in the same area as those paying £35 and £55 now.

Last month, the Liverpool Daily Post exclusively revealed that 11,000 tickets, on top of the 25,000 originally sold, were to be put out for sale to cover the mounting costs of the concert at Anfield.

The concert which starts at 5.30pm will feature Liverpool band The Zutons, The Kaiser Chiefs, and front man of The Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl.

Allocating additional tickets and a re-design of the stage has led to a "reconfiguration" of seats for the concert.

The issue has sparked controversy among ticket holders, some of whom have claimed the company has breached the Trades Descriptions Act.

Mark Rodwell, 28, from Southport, bought £75 tickets in the lottery when tickets were originally allocated last year.

He said: "Because Liverpool 08 could not cover the costs, they sold the tickets twice putting most of the original premium tickets in the Kop, mixed in with the £35 and £55 pound tickets.

"I bought two £75 tickets and they are in the same section as £35/£55.

"I have taken up the refund. I am disgusted, I was not given the tickets I was promised and I was not prepared to pay nearly £200 to sit at the back."

He said he was hoping to get £35 tickets in the same section.

A number of people have also logged on to a blog section of Sir Paul’s website to express their dissatisfaction.

Those who want to take up the offer of the refund have until 5pm tonight (Thurs).

Last night, Kris Donald- son, director of Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''As has been well publicised, the Liverpool Sound capacity has expanded by 11,000 since the ballot last September.

"In that time, stage specifications have also changed. Both of these developments will be of huge benefit to concert goers in terms of the overall experience.

"As a consequence, some event logistics have been modified, including reconfiguring the location of some of the seats for less than 10% of the audience.

"An initial poll to those affected has been very positive, and most are happy as their seats are in an excellent position. As an alternative, customers have been offered a refund."

To apply for a refund, email liverpoolsound@seetickets.com - these tickets will then be resold as there is significant demand for this event.

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk