CUSTOMERS who have bought tickets for shows at STAGE will not receive refunds, bosses have confirmed.

As reported in The Gazette last week, the company in charge of the Churchill Way venue, Stage Live Limited, has dissolved less than six months after it opened.

Since then scores of frustrated customers have raised concerns about their bookings.

Adam Hornblow, a former director of Stage Live Limited and now a director of its successor STAGE BASINGSTOKE, confirmed to this newspaper yesterday that those affected will not get their money back.

But they will be offered tickets for an alternative show on the same night as the original act was scheduled to appear, as well as entry to see the original performance if they are re-booked.

All show dates have been cancelled and contracts are currently being renegotiated.

Mr Hornblow said: “A new company can’t assume the old company’s debts as it becomes a legal point.

“We can’t refund some customers and not others as it’s against the Insolvency Act.

“We’ve pushed it to the absolute limit for people who have bought tickets by offering a whole raft of solutions.”

Martin Hayden bought two tickets for November’s Soul II Soul show, at a cost of just over £50.

"It’s worrying because there’s no mention of that show on the STAGE website, but many websites are still advertising it,” Mr Hayden, 46, said.

“Perhaps it does take a little while for external companies to know if a show is cancelled, but I can imagine they haven’t been made aware.”

Les Spaine, a promoter who booked shows for Soul II Soul, Alexander O’Neal, Aswad and The Dualers, told The Gazette: “As an agent we were approached to supply acts.

“We have supplied STAGE a number of artists including The Wailers, who performed a great show. But there were financial obligations that were not fulfilled, so we cancelled the shows last month.

“The club has said they will try and re-book but we haven’t heard from them yet.”

STAGE opened at Easter 2016 with artists such as The Boomtown Rats, Toploader and The Hooziers performing.

On Monday Andrew Eborn, one of the directors of STAGE BASINGSTOKE, added: “We want to reassure STAGE goers and fans that the venue will be bright and promising for the future.

“Looking forward we see great things for STAGE aligning the strategy to bring great entertainment to Basingstoke, attracting the best of UK and foreign acts and catering across all tastes.

“The creation of the new members UPSTAGED CLUB hopefully goes a long way to demonstrate this and the multi-offering we can deliver.”

The venue posted a statement on Facebook on Saturday which read: “As most of you are no doubt already aware there are some changes taking place at STAGE.

“Contrary to what the rumour mill may suggest these changes are in every respect, a fantastic thing for your new concert venue.

“The original team at STAGE spent a lot of time searching for new partners and investors to take our beloved venue to new heights.

“After finding those very people we have set up a new partnership that involves a corporate re-structuring.

“This involves liquidating the old company and a new one taking over.

“In simple terms this means that all the contracts, leases and licences as well as all the concert bookings all need to be re-done.

“It does not mean the venue is closing.”

STAGE remains open for business, with its new sister bar UPSTAGED currently operating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.