Debt pressure grows at events group Pollen

TAXPAYER-BACKED events company Pollen is facing mounting pressure from creditors after being handed a winding up petition amid firesale talks.

The order was issued by creditors 101 Ways, according to the website of HM Tribunals. A spokesman for Pollen said the debt had been settled. A court official said the petition had been withdrawn on Thursday.

Frustrated creditors have been circling the business. One agency complained on Linkedin that it was owed £24,000 by Pollen. The Telegraph understands that dozens of suppliers have been seeking tens of thousands of pounds which have been unpaid for months.

Customers have flooded the firm’s social media feeds demanding refunds for festivals that were cancelled. Pol- len has promised cancelled experiences will be refunded.

It comes as Pollen, which had raised $250m (£208m) from venture capital investors, hunts for a buyer.

A company spokesman said: “We are doing everything we can to get the best outcome for all our stakeholders.”