Padstow Christmas festival traders demand to know where their money went after cancellation

Devastated business owners who forked out thousands of pounds to secure a place at Cornwall’s biggest Christmas event only to be axed within weeks are demanding to know where their hard-earned money went after having been refused a refund.

Padstow’s popular Christmas festival, which usually takes place at the start of December, was axed just over a week ago after 17 years. Traders received an email informing them of the cancellation on Friday May 10, with the organizer citing “escalating costs” and a lack of sponsorship.

Small business owners who paid deposits of between £500 and £1,000 were left heartbroken to learn that even if the event had been sabotaged, they would not get a penny back. It has now been confirmed that at least £29,000 was handed over by traders alone to the woman who ran them, believing the real figure is closer to the £50,000 mark – and they want to know where the l ‘money.

LEARN MORE: “A brilliant farm and spa experience in Cornwall meant my kids weren’t on their phones all day”

LEARN MORE: Nine new bars, restaurants and cafes to try this summer

This higher figure is due to the fact that those who have not wanted to fight against the lack of reimbursement or who have not yet come forward. But last week, 44 traders confirmed they had lost £29,723.10. Additional funds were also reportedly contributed to the event by its sponsors, raising big questions about how and where such a large amount of money could have been spent so early in the year.

Tina Evans, founder and event organizer of the festival, which sees thousands of people visit Padstow every year, initially apologized and said she did not mean for this to happen and wished the traders the best in an email. She did not initially address the issue of deposits – which had been taken in the weeks before her cancellation – but then sent a follow-up message explaining there was no money to return.

Get the top stories and latest news delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you want here.