Police patrols arrived at the Ventnor Winter Gardens on the Isle of Wight as at least 100 fans were left out in the cold

Scores of UB40 fans were turned away from a gig after too many tickets were sold.

Disgruntled ticket holders who shelled out £30 for the gig turned up at the venue on the Isle of Wight – only to be told they could not come in due to health and safety limitations on its capacity.

Organisers have apologised for the gaffe, offering refunds to those who were unable to see the band.

Fans turned up at Ventnor Winter Gardens ready for the doors to open at 7pm but ended up having to request refunds at the door.

One woman who was attending her sister’s hen party was told she could not come in – despite 28 others from the party being already inside.

Disappointed fan Dawn Barthorpe later wrote on Facebook: “It’s terrible for the poor people who bought their tickets in good faith to be turned away at the venue on the night.

“

Scores of UB40 fans were turned away from a gig last night after organisers sold too many tickets
Red red whine: Police arrived at the venue as angry fans were refused entry despite having paid £30(Image: Island Echo/Solent )

“A lot of those fans wouldn’t have lived on the Isle of Wight so would have incurred ferry fees and possibly accommodation fees too, so although they were refunded, gig tickets would still be out of pocket.

“But I’m sure most are totally gutted mainly to have missed seeing the band.”

UB40 later posted a statement rom the organisers and promoters on their official Facebook page, which read: “The Ventnor Winter Gardens and Rock and Roll Enterprises would like to sincerely apologise for the refunding of a number of purchased UB40 tickets for tonight’s concert.

“This is due to the promoter and the venue over selling the concert above the safe capacity of the venue as stipulated by the health and safety officer.

“This decision has been made purely for safety reasons and in no way reflects adversely on UB40 or their management.

“We very much regret any disappointment and inconvenience caused to the affected tickets holders, whose tickets will be fully refunded.”

UB40
Still going strong: Martin Meredith, Laurence Parry, Brian Travers, Earl Falconer and Robin Campbell of UB40(Image: Getty)

Ventnor Winter Gardens, built in 1936, has a capacity of 400 people when seated, and up to 800 at a standing event.

It offers theatre productions, meeting space and has a restaurant and bar.

UB40, who first formed in 1978 in Birmingham and named themselves after the unemployment benefit form, are currently touring the UK.

The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK chart and have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times

 

 

Their hit singles ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ and their version of ‘I Got You Babe’ – all of which topped the UK chart – have helped them sell over 70million records worldwide.

Lead singer and founding member Ali Campbell left the band after 30 years in 2008 and began performing solo.