Kids Party in the Park: Everything we know about cancelled event

However, the Gazette revealed that Kids Party in the Park, due to take place in Popley on April 12, was called off because the organisers failed to show how they would keep the public safe.

READ MORE: Kids Party in the Park in Basingstoke cancelled over 'public safety' concerns

Despite numerous attempts to try and speak with the organisers, they have so far only communicated via email. They have not properly answered what went wrong and the reason why customers are still waiting for a refund.

With people contacting us to say they still have not had their ticket money back, here is everything we know so far.

Why was the event cancelled?

Customers were informed by Kids Party in the Park on April 4 that the Basingstoke event had been cancelled because of a problem with the condition of the ground.

However, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said the event did not go ahead because the organisers failed to obtain a licence which was refused on the grounds of ‘public safety’.

Following an article reporting this, the organisers threatened to take legal action, accusing us of “falsely informing the public with misinformation”.

However, they have never specified what exactly they believe was misleading.

The organisers then told us that the event could not go ahead for “public safety because of the ground being too damp” and said a premises licence was granted.

SEE ALSO: Refunds issued for cancelled Kids Party in the Park Basingstoke

We went back to the borough council, who confirmed this was untrue.

The council said: “The reason the event could not go ahead was because it did not have a licence. This was not due to the ground conditions.”

The applicant needed a licence to provide live and recorded music entertainment for up to 4,999 people.

However, the council said the applicant failed to get the relevant documentation in place for the event premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

This included providing evidence that a newspaper notice was placed within a set time period after the application was submitted, to give residents notice and the chance to make objections.

A council spokesperson added: “The applicant was unable to demonstrate, as is required by the act, the steps they would take to meet the licensing objectives, which are the protection of children from harm; public safety; the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

“As the applicant did not have a valid premises licence, the event could not go ahead.”

We have asked the organisers why they told the public the event was cancelled because of the ground condition, but they have not responded.

Another Kids Party in the Park was also cancelled in Hove in April, with the organisers providing the same reason for it not going ahead, because of the ground condition.

What has happened to refunds?

At the time of announcing the Basingstoke Kids Party in the Park was cancelled on April 4, organisers reassured ticket holders - who paid up to £80 for a family ticket – that they would receive a full refund.

However, ticketholders have contacted us to say they are still waiting for their money back.

The organisers said all refunds were issued on the date of cancellation but said “processing times may vary dependent on payment type used and also the ticket site in which you purchased”.

Kids Party in the Park told us via email that “refunds are processed by the ticketing site in which the tickets were purchased from. These were on multiple sites”.

However, we approached one of the ticketing sites selling Kids Party in the Park tickets – Ticket Tailor - which said “we never see or touch ticket money”.

They added: “Ticket Tailor is a platform that allows event organisers to sell tickets directly to their audience and set their own ticket terms and conditions.”

Information on the company’s website also states: “We don’t touch your ticket money. When a ticket is sold, you get paid into your payment account instantly and directly.”

We went back to Kids Party in the Park, who said each refund is initiated by a member of its accounts team across “multiple ticketing sites” and said this “therefore took a few days”.

They added that they use Stripe money portal to hold ticket money until an event is completed, and that refunds have been requested from Stripe, but can take up to 30 days.

They added: “All ticket holders have been made aware of this and is stated in terms and conditions upon purchasing.”

A member of the public who was waiting for a refund for the Hove event contacted us to say she has now received her money back. 

A borough council spokesperson said: “As a council we would expect the event organiser to refund those people who have purchased tickets and would not consider any future event bookings on our land from the organiser if this does not happen.”

One ticket holder said she is still waiting for a refund for five tickets she bought for her family.

She said: “I’ve emailed the company and had no response.”

Donna West, who bought tickets for her two children who both have additional needs, said: “Fortunately, they knew we were having a fun day but didn’t know what we were doing.

“I’m fortunate that I had some money in savings to arrange and pay for some alternative activities. However, with the current cost of living crisis, I’m sure many families won’t be so fortunate. I had expected the refund by now.”

What is Kids Party in the Park?

Kids Party in the Park is described as “the best outdoor party fun for all kids and family to enjoy”.

The Basingstoke event was meant to include two stages with acts including Little Mix tribute act Little Chix along with appearances from kid’s TV characters, inflatables, fairground rides, food stalls and face-painting.

Tickets cost £21.65 for an adult and £26.94 for a child.

The organisers have two other Kids Party in the Park events advertised as taking place this year, in Portsmouth on May 29 and in Eastbourne on August 2.