Tier 2 Restrictions mean I can’t attend event

nataliejones3333

We had booked a table of 6 to attend an event in London next week but due to the move to tier 2 restrictions cannot attend. The company have refused a refund and the bank will not do a charge back due to the event still going ahead. As far as I’m concerned it’s illegal for us to attend as per our original booking because all 6 of us are from different households but what are our rights on requesting a refund? 

Any advise would be really appreciated 

tedlewis355

nataliejones3333 said:

We had booked a table of 6 to attend an event in London next week but due to the move to tier 2 restrictions cannot attend. The company have refused a refund and the bank will not do a charge back due to the event still going ahead. As far as I’m concerned it’s illegal for us to attend as per our original booking because all 6 of us are from different households but what are our rights on requesting a refund? 

Any advise would be really appreciated 

If they won’t refund then is there a way to still go, could you not sit on separate tables?

JamoLew

The issue is that a table for 6 could consist of people all from the same household.
Therefore the organisers are correct in their stance (unfortunately for you)

nataliejones3333

Hi, the event organiser sent an email to confirm the measures they have put in place since the tier 2 announcement which prompted us to contact them and let them know that all 6 of us are from different households. The only way they could accommodate us is by sitting each of us on individual tables which I can’t see being visible for them or a nice experience for us? I understand the the event isn’t cancelled but as the law is preventing us for attending, it is in essence cancelled by default? Their T&Cs aren’t very clear and obviously don’t cover the new government restrictions. 

daveyjp

If this is a business event you should be ok.

Thrugelmir

What's the event? 

nataliejones3333

We booked VIP tickets to the twisted circus event for my friends birthday. The ticket included a 2 course meal and a drink along side entertainment. 

Dr_Crypto

Did they know you were from different households when booking? If they didn’t it’s a bit hard to insist on a refund as the event is still running (presumably). 

bradders1983

I assume they booked when that would have been a silly question to ask 😂 at the end of the day the OP is the one frustrating the contract and not the event organiser.
I mean i doubt you are the only party this applies to, will everyone try and cancel or will they just go anyway? 

Dr_Crypto

The irony is if this was a business meeting/ event (however that is defined) there’s no reason not to go. 

TheAble

Have a look at this article:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/09/social-gatherings-of-more-than-six-banned-in-england-from-next-w/
It refers to travel but may well apply to your situation. To quote:
"When we asked the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about consumers' refund rights in this situation, it pointed us to guidance from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which says that consumers should get a refund if they cancel or can't use a service because of Government health measures. 

As the new six-person rule is a legal restriction (unlike the previous rules on households staying together, which are guidelines) and consumers could face a fine if they break the law in order to use their holiday booking, the CMA guidance suggests they'd be owed a refund. "

So this might be a route you could go down. From my point of view, the fair outcome would be that they offer you a refund.