A GIG goer has slammed a ticket company's policy after not receiving a full refund following the cancellation of The Waterboys’ performance at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in the auditorium, which was initially found in 2019, forced Cumberland Council to abruptly close the venue after a change in government legislation last month.

Ticket holders for high profile shows including Shrek the Musical and The Waterboys were promised a full refund, but one man has been left more than £20 out of pocket because his booking fee was not refunded.

Steve Bartlett booked four tickets through ticket website See Tickets to see The Waterboys on October 1 for £191.45 but only got £168 back, leaving him £23.45 out of pocket.

“I have full empathy for the venue having to cancel all events but the ticket agents, See Tickets, are ripping off all the customers by retaining the booking fees,” said Steve.

“I got in touch with See Tickets who said to read the terms and conditions but they’re hiding behind them.

“You don’t have a choice when you’re buying tickets these days to pay a booking fee and if you don’t want to pay you don’t get to see the gig. I haven’t seen the gig so I should expect my money back.

“I know friends who have had gigs cancelled before and they’ve had the full amount back. This is just a disgrace to be honest.”

In response to Steve’s complaints, the company said: “The cancellation and postponements of events, much as they are not your fault, are also not at fault of the ticket agents.

“Ticket agents provide a ticket service, the obligations for which are fulfilled in these cases.

“The fees, which are the only payment we receive from a booking, pay for such services and are retained thusly.

“Although this is completely your prerogative, we must stress that these terms were agreed to by yourself upon completing the purchase.”

Non-refundable booking fees have been an issue before for cancelled shows at the Sands Centre after a Carlisle man was not refunded his booking fee for a cancelled show - despite booking in person at the box office.

Steve got in touch with The Waterboys’ management who said they were 'sorry' to hear this and while the band 'don't have any control over See Tickets policies,' they would let management know.

All October shows at the venue have been cancelled but the new main Sands Centre building - which includes the pools, gym, sports halls, café, bars and restaurant - is unaffected.