Racecourse refund policy blasted following Lionel Richie no-show

Billed as one of the biggest and most lucrative weekend’s in the racecourse’s calendar, thousands of people descended for the 30th Dubai weekend, one of the highlights of which was to be the last Party in the Paddock event of the season - Lionel Richie’s first UK performance since 2009.
But late on Friday, fans were left shocked by Richie’s “out of the blue” and last minute decision to cancel his gig due to unspecified health reasons.
Many fans had bought tickets to see the concert only and claimed that the racecourse’s policy meant there were left out of pocket as they were only being refunded £15 for a standard £35 ticket. Angry fans called the policy a “disgrace” and bombarded the racecourse’s own Facebook page with calls for full refunds.
Lorraine Swain from Newbury, said that her and her friends were only going for the concert and described the situation as “diabolical.”.
Newburytoday reader, Oliver, who did not give his surname, said that a friend of his wife’s had travelled 150 miles to see Richie and his wife was going to be £60 out of pocket after purchasing three £35 tickets.
He said: “She is not interested in racing, so would not have been going to the race-day in any event.
“Very unhappy bunnies and I expect my situation will be reflected across Newbury.”
Jon Burbage said: "I understand the need to cancel but I don't understand the reason to only provide a 30 per cent refund when the goods were not delivered?"
But joint managing director at the racecourse, Stephen Higgins, said that the refund policy was clearly set out on the venue’s website and that, in this case, the terms and conditions stated that in the event of artist cancellation, £15 including VAT per ticket refund would apply, with additional compensation structures for all other tickets.
As a gesture of good will, the racecourse has also offered people a free day of racing worth up to £24 on Saturday, December 29.
Mr Higgins said:“The ticket price for Saturday, after partial refund reflects our racing only pricing strategy.
“The ticket price including racing and music ensures that we can stage international artists at a small cost increase to our racing only prices, and allows racegoers to see artists and racing at accessible prices, providing incredible value for money."
And he denied rumours that no contract had been signed between the racecourse and Lionel Richie and said news of the star’s cancellation had come out of the blue at about 7.40pm on Friday.
He said: “The stage had been erected and was ready for his performance.”
Saying that ticket sales for the weekend were “very good”, and “in line with expectations”, Mr Higgins added: “Clearly we were all incredibly disappointed.
“The Party in the Paddock racing events are very popular, not only for the racecourse, but for the economy of the whole town.”
To add to the racecourse’s misery this week, it was hit with a gas leak after contractors erecting a temporary pavillion pierced a gas pipe closing Nuffield Health gym for 24 hours.
Although no one from Lionel Richie’s record company, Mercury Music, was available to answer questions after the cancelled gig, his management released a statement which said that Lionel Richie visited doctors and needed treatment so could not perform on Saturday night.
He has subsequently cancelled his next tour dates which were due to be held in Ireland.