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Ramblin' Man company goes into liquidation owing thousands

The company behind this year’s Ramblin’ Man Fair has gone into liquidation, owing thousands in fees for staging the two-day event.

People from around the world came to Mote Park in July for the line-up featuring Marillion, The Scorpions and Camel.

Organisers The UK Rock Festival Limited owes Maidstone council £2,766 in unpaid fees, while The Mote Cricket Club has also been trying to recoup £5,000 to £10,000 owed to it.

Revellers at the Ramblin' Man Fair in Maidstone
Revellers at the Ramblin' Man Fair in Maidstone

It was used as a campsite and club officials had agreed with festival organisers to split the proceeds 50-50. But recent phone calls have gone unanswered.

Mote chairman Glen Aukett said: “Fortunately we didn’t have many up-front costs.

“We agreed for organisers to sell pitches and we would run the bar. Then we would share everything. But nothing has been forthcoming, even though we forwarded on the figures for our bar takings.

“It costs £70,000 a year to run the club and pitch refurbishments are planned so if we don’t get this money it will set us back.”

Liquidators Duff & Phelps sent letters to businesses advising them to lodge claims for any losses before October 15. It is thought the losses cover services supplied such as equipment hire.

It emerged this week the festival is set to return next year run by new company Spirit of Rock, which is promising to host something bigger and better.

A spokesman for Spirit of Rock said: “The experienced new management team and directors of Spirit of Rock will ensure all financial issues and suppliers are handled professionally.

Biff Byford, singer of Saxon at the Ramblin' Man Fair
Biff Byford, singer of Saxon at the Ramblin' Man Fair

“We sympathise fully with anyone who has suffered any financial loss through the Ramblin’ Man Fair 2015, which was prior to the change of ownership and management team.”

The new owners will honour existing ticket sales for 2016.

A spokesman for Maidstone council said tax payers would not be affected after it took a deposit from organisers, which covered outstanding costs.

The authority initially gave next year’s event the go-ahead but postponed approval until it has held discussions with the new company.

The council received 50 complaints over noise from the festival.

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