Beachdown's sour taste still lingers. (From The Argus)

Beachdown's sour taste still lingers.

4:42pm Sunday 24th January 2010

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By Steve Ahearne - Sideways over Brighton »

A recent conversation with some friends turned to the subject of 'Beachdown Festival' or rather the lack of said event. The total lack of communication from the organisers (Future Festivals) regarding refunds has only served to tarnish the reputation of not just Beachdown, but Brighton's whole festival culture. Many people that I have spoken to regarding Beachdown (myself included – not that I talk to myself - much) feel so badly treated that the general consensus is one of shying away from any independent festivals whatsoever this coming summer, which is a shame for the many other events Brighton has rightly prided herself on in recent years. Unfortunately the whole culture has been tarred with the same brush.

The issue here is one of trust, a commodity so hard to gain yet so easy to lose.

Various internet sources claim that the company responsible for the festival are either heading for or are currently in administration (depending on what you read), thus refunds look unlikely, leaving many, many people deeply out of pocket.

The good news for those who paid by credit card is that the card companies might be able to offer a refund, but this seems to vary wildly between card issuers, if you did purchase your tickets by card and you haven't spoken with the card issuer yet, it is highly advisable that you do so. The ticket offices of local businesses are not to blame as they acted as agents on behalf of Beachdown, thus complaints in their direction are liable to fall on sympathetic yet deaf ears (remember that a great many local businesses also found themselves out of pocket due to Beachdown).

So why are we still left in the dark so long after the cancellation? Emails remain unanswered, and written correspondence with the business address of Future Festivals is pointless as the North Road offices have been cleared. I have been asked many months ago to supply my address regarding the refunds but have not heard a solitary peep since providing this information.

Words of comfort from company director Joe Pidgeon are few and far between. I couldn't find any meaningful correspondence since last October. In fact a cursory glance at the man's web footprint throws up a list of at least four other companies that have suffered liquidation over the last decade including 'Touch Magazine', 'The Sorting Office', 'Contenda' and 'U Influence'. How this man can continue to trade with such a dreadful track record is beyond my comprehension.

So if you have a grievance but don't know where to turn you may find some solace via the Facebook group 'Beachdown Letdown' where like minded people have grown fed up of the lack of action on behalf of Future Festivals and are in the process of petitioning 'Watchdog' to run an expose on national television. Maybe then Future Festivals will feel obliged to issue the refunds due to the many like me and my friends left without a clue as to where to turn.

If anybody out there has a similar story to share, or can maybe shed some light on this subject then please leave your comments below, and please refrain from using the foul cuss words this shambolic festival undoubtedly deserves.

(Please note that the views of the author are not representative of 'The Argus' and are formed purely through personal experience and internet research. The former is reliable, the latter may be lacking – I tried though!)