University confirms venue operating company at the William Aston Hall “forced to move into liquidation”

Wrexham Glyndwr University has confirmed that the venue operating company at the William Aston Hall has been “forced to move into liquidation.”

The venue, which is based on the university campus, has been operated by management company and promotor VMS Live (Wrexham) Ltd after the organisation signed a long term lease in 2018.

A £150,000 investment to improve the sound system and install a new control system and new lighting was also announced that year.

However like many theatres across the country the William Aston Hall has been closed since March 2020 when the pandemic caused the abrupt end to all live events and entertainment.

Last year it was announced that two of the six companies operated by VMS Live Ltd had entered administration.

In a series of tweets the William Aston Hall confirmed that it was unaffected by this and that it was planning to reopen when restrictions allowed.

But over the last week there has been speculation over the future of the venue after it was announced that the Jason Manford warm up gigs, which had been rescheduled for this weekend due to the pandemic, had been cancelled.

In an email to ticket holders Eventim said the event would no longer take place due to “current issues and uncertainty surrounding live events.”

The comedian later posted on his social media to say: “I just need to point out that I haven’t cancelled Wrexham next week! I only found out myself this week! I’m trying to get to bottom of it. I’m as gutted as you.”

Others who bought tickets direct from the venue for now cancelled events have also been struggling get a refund.

The Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages of the William Aston Hall have not been updated for several months and although tickets can still be purchased for events at the venue, it is no longer possible to view these via its official website.

Today the university confirmed that the venue operating company has moved into liquidation.

A Wrexham Glyndwr University spokesperson said: “As a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic, it’s been an incredibly difficult 16 months for the events industry.

“We are deeply saddened that VMS Live (Wrexham) Ltd, who are the venue operating company, have been forced to move into liquidation.

“VMS Live (Wrexham) Ltd, have total responsibility and control over all performances and ticket sales and Wrexham Glyndwr University fully appreciate that customers who have purchased tickets for future shows (or those that have been postponed) will be anxious about this news.

“We advise those who have purchased tickets to contact their ticket provider directly for any information regarding refunds.

“Unfortunately, as the landlord for the William Aston Hall, the university does not have access to these agencies and is not in a position to process any refunds as no ticket sales have been transacted through us.”