Harrogate’s winter blunderland owes thousands but has ‘no assets’

At a creditors meeting at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate today (Wednesday January 14) Kate Breese, insolvency practitioner at Walsh Taylor said around 4000 customers are owed money, along with traders who hired stalls at the failed event and staff.

She said: “There are no assets to pay back the 4000 people.”

It is estimated that the company could owe at least £20,000 to ticket holders alone. Miss Breese said she believed that the Yorkshire Event Centre has received almost all of the full amount owed, though a spokesperson said it was ‘several thousand pounds out of pocket’.

The Yorkshire Magical Winterland event was due to be held for two weeks, but closed its doors after four days following a barrage of negative reviews.

Visitors blasted the attraction as ‘depressing’ and ‘appalling’ online, prompting huge media coverage.

Organisers blamed the adverse publicity the attraction received for its closure.

Directors Peter Snee and Jayne Wilkinson from Stoke-on-Trent attended the creditors meeting.

Miss Breese said: “There was pressure to open, there was a charity involved so directors were keen to open. They had been let down and stock and decorations they ordered hadn’t arrived. Then people started to complain.

“People weren’t happy, they tried to close and make improvements but people were unhappy.

“They have not run off with the ticket money, it is important to stress, one of the directors is a creditor. They have received threats from people and threats to their families.”

Walsh Taylor are advising ticket holders to contact their card providers or email [email protected]