Students angered by cancelled event

Hundreds of Warwick students were left angry and out of pocket when the secret party in Leamington, known as SNUB, was cancelled without explanation.

The idea behind the event was to hold a party in a secret location, which would only be revealed on the evening of the event via text message or email.

Suspicions about the event were initially raised when the first date, scheduled to be January 11, was postponed.

The organiser, Facebook account RabbitHole Events, apologised for the date change, saying that they were having problems with the venue. The party was rescheduled to the following week, January 18.

In this time many students contacted RabbitHole Events asking for a refund, having paid for the £7 tickets online using PayPal or debit cards.

The response assured them that the event would definitely commence the following week, however if the customer so wished they could receive a refund. Those who attempted to pursue a refund were ignored.

A few days before SNUB was said to be going ahead, both RabbitHole Events and the SNUB event disappeared off of Facebook completely.

However, about an hour before the event was scheduled to start, both pages reappeared.

One anonymous student contacted the number given on the SNUB event page, to be told that unfortunately the event had to be cancelled, once again due to venue complications.

The student told the Boar: “The organiser tried making lots of excuses and saying we could get VIP seats for Wiley at the Assembly, because “she’s really good”. Not only was Wiley not at the [venue], he is also not a woman.”

She was told that if she wanted a refund instead of this alternative offer, she would have to receive the money cash in hand.

Jackie Lockinger, first-year English and German student, said: “This is absolutely ridiculous. I want my money back!”

As the Facebook page is no longer available, students are advised to contact PayPal or their bank to file a claim and obtain a refund.

It was speculated that the party was closely linked to local nightclub Altoria in Leamington Spa, because of RabbitHole Events’ Facebook username ‘FeelingFunkyAltoria’.

In response to these suggestions Zoltan Branch MD of Altoria bars, told the Boar: “We know absolutely nothing about this company or the event itself, I can state these companies are not the sort of people we would work with at any time.

“We have along standing relationship with the University and there is a reason for that and I would hope the main reason being that we are trusted operators.”

With regards to the event Mr Branch said: “I also feel very sorry for the Students that have lost money on this event with pre-bought tickets.

“We run a very student friendly venue and we would like to keep it that way. Every event we advertise we over-deliver on.”