Regal panto takeover raises hopes of refunds

Customers awaiting refunds for tickets from The Regal Theatre in Bathgate could be in luck after a new organisation took over running the panto.

Many people who had bought tickets from the theatre are still waiting for their money to be returned after it went into liquidation in August.

But a Glasgow company called Reconnect Events have taken over control of the panto and said they will put aside tickets for those still awaiting their refund.

Pete Sneddon, who runs the firm, said that if those awaiting a refund contacted Reconnect Events then tickets would be set aside until the list is handed over.

The now defunct Regal Community Theatre Board Limited (RCTBL) told customers that they had been refunded for pre-paid tickets.

This proved not to be the case and almost two months after the liquidation of RCTBL customers were still waiting for their money to be returned.

Panto customer Carly Deacon said: “It’s just annoying that they said I would get a refund. I emailed RCTBL on September 6 and they emailed back, saying the refund was processed on August 31.

“They shouldn’t have been saying the process was going through if they were not going through.”

Heather Fowler was told on September 4 that she had already been fully refunded but is also still waiting for her money.

Heather said: “I got an email from the Regal to say that unfortunately it was closing down and that my money was being refunded and then two weeks later we got an email from the liquidators saying that they had now taken over and it was up to them to refund the money.”

A spokesperson for KPMG said: “All customers who had paid for tickets via cash or cheque were refunded in late August.

“At the same time the directors instructed the payment provider to refund all customers who had paid for tickets via credit/debit card.

“However, this refund was not processed prior to the liquidation appointment.

“It is the intention of the liquidators to honour the refunds to customers and these will be paid as quickly as possible.”

The Regal panto production will still be ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ and will run from December 1-31.

Pete Sneddon said: “Scotland has lost enough of our small theatres and I don’t want to see this one vanishing either.

“It’s a great venue and I see no reason it shouldn’t run successfully.”

Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “The pantomime at the Regal at Christmas is a much-loved tradition for many in Bathgate and around West Lothian.

“We are pleased to play our part to enable this tradition to continue for this year and Reconnect Events staff have experience of running shows at similar venues in Glasgow.”

Tickets for the panto are available from www. facebook.com/ bath gate regal theatre, where those awaiting a refund can also contact Reconnect Events.

It is the intention of the liquidators to honour the refunds to customers KPMG