Signal Radio faces court over concert
CONCERT-GOERS angry about their treatment at Signal Radio's "shambolic" Trentham Gardens gig are taking legal action to get refunds on their tickets.
Debbie and Iain Amos, who paid £150 for six tickets to the station's 25th birthday event in September, have filed a claim at the small claims court to reclaim their money.
The couple, of Woodrow Way, Chesterton, say the event they had been eagerly anticipating descended into a nightmare.
Debbie, a 45-year-old bank adviser, and 37-year-old Iain, a self-employed civil engineer, spent weeks planning a picnic for the outdoor gig with 12 friends.
They queued from 1pm on the day so that when the gates opened at 5.15pm they could grab a prime position to watch top '80s acts Ali Campbell, of UB40, Go West and The Human League.
But it was 7pm before the crowds were herded into a waiting area, and after 8pm before the group finally got into the field – where the gig had already started and it was too dark to set up their picnic.
Debbie, who had been ill that day with anaemia, says by that time she just wanted to go home. She said her demand for a refund at the time did not elicit a satisfactory response. She added: "It was a farce. We love the groups and had brought a trolley with lots of food and wine. It was a lovely day and we were in good spirits all afternoon in the queue.
"We didn't know what was happening when we weren't let in on time and were herded into a waiting area. By this time people were pushing and shoving.
"We were all agitated and frustrated. There were no toilet facilities and people were going in bushes.
"When we were eventually allowed into the field at about 8pm it was mayhem and I was in a real state. I couldn't breathe.
"People were getting nasty. We were trying to put up our picnic table but people kept knocking it over and threatening us."
At the time, The Sentinel was inundated with people complaining about the gig.
Now the couple have paid £30 to file their claim, and are urging others to do so. Iain said: "If everyone takes the station to the small claims court it will cost them more in legal fees than it would to give us our money back."
The station said delays were due to technical problems. Station manager Lisa Hughes said: "We have consulted solicitors, who have advised us we are in a strong legal position. This is the first I've heard about a claim in the small claims court."
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by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Friday, November 07 2008, 4:50PM
“Amazed, how much are Signel paying you to post such utter garbage. What top cass acs have Signel brought to Stoke in th last 18 month or so. Look, lets face it, your beloved radio station is on the slide. It spends its day playing the most dreadfull rubbish ever recorded, totaly ignoring local bands and events that they have not got a and in. Most potters dont like them and are calling out for a new FM license for this area. Oh! its time fo a add breack, Were the workers hear at Hide Park Tiles we've got tiles in loads of... and so on.”
by Jeff, Bentilee
Friday, November 07 2008, 9:18AM
“The last poster (Amazed) is quite clearly another signal employee. I'm actually "amazed" that one person can type so much drivel in one sitting. Ive been to literally hundreds of events all across the country in my time and I have to say that none of them have been as badly orgainised as this seems to have been. I disagree completely with your comment that this is "the norm". You must be either attending a lot of events organised by signal Radio or you really are a signal employee trying to big them up. Idiot! Also, Isn't it easy to slate so many people as unsophisticated when you use an anonymous name? Coward too it would seem.”
by Amazed, Stoke
Friday, November 07 2008, 7:51AM
“It amazes me how the people of this area can be so 'unsophisticated'! If you were used to top artists coming to the city, you would realise that concerts can run late and you are left waiting outside the venue - I've done this countless times! Thanks to Signal we have had countless artists come to the city who woiuld otherwise have passed it by - how do you think THEY feel about this situation now? You should be grateful that they take an interest in the city and try to bring top entertainment in - instead of using this situation to 'have a pop' - get real - and get over it, you ungrateful bunch!”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, November 06 2008, 9:13PM
“Lets put it this waym I dont give Signel the time of day anymore, never mind hard won cash, and wheres the problem with Sam Plank, ok he may hit the odd duff butten but hay! lets not forgett how old he is now.If you reading this Sam, love you man.”
by Walker, Hartshill
Thursday, November 06 2008, 8:31PM
“OK. So they have a lawyer. Now they just need some PR.”
by ange, staffs moorlands
Thursday, November 06 2008, 8:05PM
“we have signal on at work but its the same old same old music all the time! it gets monotenous and even though they have this "Non repeat" thing going on from 9-5 all they do is play the same flippin play list but shuffled to different times for the same songs each day! when im at home i listen to rock fm on the internet as its more entertaining!”
by Relieved i didnt go!, stoke
Thursday, November 06 2008, 6:48PM
“I wander after this fiasco how many people would book tickets to another concert by Signal 1? Whilst they may think they have a strong legal position, Lisa Taylors public disregard for the listeners/customers is appalling! Lets hope that artistes will still appear in Stoke but without Signal at the helm! So how many of you would give Signal your money again?”
by South Stoke, South Stoke
Thursday, November 06 2008, 6:08PM
“Wow Liam .. you don't work for Signal Radio do you ? .”
by Graham, Trentham
Thursday, November 06 2008, 6:01PM
“Signal have really gone down hill over the last few years. There should be another FM licence for North Staffs (like everwhere else in the UK). Signal's monopoloy on commercial radio is of no benefit to the citzens of North Staffordshire.
Community radio (none religious) would also be welcomed in the area, giving local people the opportunity to make locally based programmes.
I can only hope Focal Radio on DAB will succesfully develop in the years to come.”
by Lillian Stoke On Trent, Abbey Hulton
Thursday, November 06 2008, 5:54PM
“I went to the Sgnal Radio Birthday concert at Trentham, along with my daughter.
Yes we did have to queue, longer than we thought. However we were imformed, as to why there was a delay.
A chap came down to explain while we were at the side of the lake.
We really enjoyed the concert,
everybody, seemed to be in good spirits, where we were standing, singing and dancing,enjoying themselves.
We have been to several live concerts, with Signal in the past, and othe companies.
Things can go wrong, and often do, at live concerts.
The worse case scenario ,would have been to stand in a queue, for two hours, only to be told the concert was canncelled, which didnt happen.
Louise Stones and Paul Fairclough did a great job comparing the show.
Well done to all at Signal, we had a great night.”