A WORCESTER woman has demanded to know why a company let her buy concert tickets just days before going into liquidation.

Caroline Passey, of Northwick Avenue, lost £60 when The Classical Prom Company cancelled its summer concert at Spetchley Park Gardens saying poor ticket sales had forced it into administration.

In a letter dated July 2 and sent to Mrs Passey, the company blamed bad weather and said liquidator Tomlinsons would contact her about a refund for the event on Saturday, July 28.

Mrs Passey approached the Worcester News when nothing happened and she was unable to find a company called Tomlinsons acting as administrators.

Our investigations revealed the real liquidator was Smith and Williamson and that anyone paying by cash, cheque or debit card, as Mrs Passey did, would not be refunded.

Mrs Passey said: "I'm not happy.

"It's £60 at the end of the day.

"They've obviously taken a lot of money from a lot of people.

"I paid for them only a few days before I got the letter.

"They must have known they were in difficulties."

A Smith and Williamson spokeswoman said the company was appointed this month and Tomlinsons had advised the company's directors beforehand.

She said credit card payments could be recouped through card holder protection but there was no money available for refunds.

The company has promised to find out what has happened to customers' money.

However, Mrs Passey said: "I bought the tickets for my mother's birthday on July 6 and suddenly I had no present for her.

"So many people in Worcester must be in the same situation and don't have a clue where to go."

Spetchley Park Gardens' marketing manager Tim Davies said the venue was not involved with ticket sales.

He added: "We were disappointed we didn't have the event and sad for the people who were coming to enjoy the gardens.

"A lot of people asked us for the company's details but we could only direct them towards the website which was taken down quite quickly."

Smith and Williamson can be contacted on 01622 604500.