THE CIVIC in Stourport has called on people to be kind and respectful after receiving ‘extremely hurtful’ Facebook reactions to the news that two shows at the venue could not go ahead.
The volunteer-run venue was forced to cancel a performance by Paul Young on May 30, the day the show was supposed to take place.
This came just days after the Pink Floydian show, set to be held on May 23, was postponed to October 18.
On both occasions, the shows were cancelled due to technical difficulties.
Caroline Caldwell, the Hall manager, took to social media to issue a video statement in response to some of the Facebook comments the Civic had received following the cancellations.
She said: “It’s upsetting when people comment on our Facebook about things that they feel are wrong.
“We are very sorry if people feel like that, but there are kinder ways of talking to us about it.
“We’re trying very hard to provide a venue for this community with very little funding.
“We are not funded, and how we maintain the venue is done from ticket sales, hires and donations.
“If anyone feels that we need help and knows someone who can support us, please give us your support and join our team.
“Comments on Facebook don’t help.
“We are not the only ones struggling, and in this current climate, we will continue to not be the only ones struggling, but in the last 12 months, we have put on 300 events whicvh have run smoothly.
“The two this weekend are not a record of all of our achievements.
“Please be kind and respectful because your comment impacts the people who may visit us and is extremely hurtful to those who volunteer to strive to keep this venue going.”
People were sent an email notifying those who had purchased tickets, and the cancellations were advertised on Facebook.
Full refunds will be given to those who were due to attend the Paul Young concert or customers who are not able to make the rearranged date for the Pink Floydian Show.
Many comments on Facebook also praised the volunteers at the Civic for their dedication, with others saying they felt sorry for the volunteer staff getting grief from people being turned away after the Paul Young cancellation.
