Refunds

[MrGongGong]

I wasn't saying that I approve of the dividend set-up, not least because it has become completely adrift from the original concept of paying out once all other responsibilities have been dealt with, nor that I think the existing business model is desirable or should continue. The current situation is a good time to take a long hard look at it, but I'm not sure that pulling the rug completely would be the best way forward at the moment?

I understand what you are saying
BUT
the truth is that (once again) those with the least (or in some cases nothing) are being asked (though the option for saying "no" isn't available) are being made to subsidise those with more.
My own situation isn't desperate BUT I know plenty of folks who are in very difficult circumstances indeed.

Give that paying tax "on account" is effectively a loan then it isn't right to use this in this way IMV
Give it back (very simple to do by the HMRC) or use it to support those with nothing.

This popped up on social media recently... I've not gone into it in depth and probably won't because I'm more interested in music and the streaming birdsong / Carnatic singing / harp gig i'm working on for an online stream next week

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/18/truth-money-iou-bank-of-england-austerity?fbclid=IwAR3AMHOh2O0Wky8zh37CEXJQXeu_dVd2cUYEOGXVuy8bz_y37OG9j8fNsyo

[MrGongGong]

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/27/clergy-tax-haven-coronavirus-richard-branson

[alywin]

My 'local' concert hall Turner Sims in Southampton - which I now patronise as much as possible because of the huge total cost of attending a London concert: day return train ticket to London, even with old gimmers card, is about £25 - have been very active about cancelled concerts.

Yes, I regularly used to go down to events at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre, but not any more - since the new people took over South West, there don't seem to have been any discount fares or anything, and of course MegaTrain fares no longer apply now it's not Stagecoach running them. Yet I can easily get to Birmingham for well under £20 return ...

On Tickets - I have a fair amount now owed by Royal Opera House - still undecided what to do.

I might leave it with them as credit - given that they've bumped up the ticket prices so much, I was only able to afford a handful of standing tickets, anyway. And apparently an anonymous donor is promising to match all donated tickets?

[HighlandDougie]

Has anyone yet had a refund for tickets bought for events in the Barbican, South Bank Centre, theatres, etc that have been cancelled due to Coronavirus?

I'm still awaiting a refund for two cancelled Barbican concerts and had an e-mail from the Barbican box office on March 17 informing of closure and another on April 1 advising of refunds. I was somewhat taken aback by the request for my bank details in the latter email as I paid by debit card and would have expected a straight refund by the same method and this led me to question the validity of the email but it all checked out satisfactorily. Predictably, the Barbican box office have requested customers not to chase them so assume we simply have to wait.

I can appreciate that there are a large number of refunds for the various box offices to do but thought that those in a similar position to mine could use this thread to monitor the situation.

I note from my HSBC account that refunds from the Barbican are due to be paid into my account on Monday (bank holiday but maybe they still do bank transfers).

[Petrushka]

I note from my HSBC account that refunds from the Barbican are due to be paid into my account on Monday (bank holiday but maybe they still do bank transfers).

That's interesting, thanks. I should have been in the Barbican last night and tonight for the NYPO Mahler and it's those for which I'm awaiting refunds. Nothing in my bank as yet but Monday isn't a bank holiday this year - Friday is!

[LMcD]

Yes, I regularly used to go down to events at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre, but not any more - since the new people took over South West, there don't seem to have been any discount fares or anything, and of course MegaTrain fares no longer apply now it's not Stagecoach running them. Yet I can easily get to Birmingham for well under £20 return ...



I might leave it with them as credit - given that they've bumped up the ticket prices so much, I was only able to afford a handful of standing tickets, anyway. And apparently an anonymous donor is promising to match all donated tickets?

I saw The Beatles at the Mayflower (then the Gaumont) in December 1963. The ticket cost 8/6 (42.5 p)

If you're unlucky enough to be waiting for a cash refund from Ryanair it will take up to 6 months.

[Old Grumpy]

Nothing in my bank as yet but Monday isn't a bank holiday this year - Friday is!

I did wonder for a minute whether Highlanders had retained the May 4th holiday, but apparently not

[HighlandDougie]

I did wonder for a minute whether Highlanders had retained the May 4th holiday, but apparently not

Holidays in the Highlands? Och, Calvin would birl in his grave at the very idea. Anyway, I've got so used to there being so many public holidays in May here in France (today; next Friday; Ascension Day; Whit Monday (OK, that's 1st June this year but almost May) that I just assumed it would be a bank holiday in the UK on Monday. No 'muguets' (lily of the valley in a little bouquet) to be seen here this year, alas - it's a tradition for this particular holiday. Miles off-topic - my tickets were for the Budapest FO and Andras Schiff in two concerts at the end of the month.