Man behind collapsed festival firm launches new winter event

A man who put his events company into liquidation in the summer has now opened a new scheme at Manchester’s EventCity.

The move has sparked criticism from entertainers, artists and suppliers who were left out of pocket when the family friendly festival Geronimo folded in the summer.

Simon Goldman has launched Winter Funland four months after Geronimo went out of business with debts of £400,000.

A total of 146 businesses were left with unpaid bills. EventBuddha is owed almost £41,000 and a Cheshire ticketing firm is owed £18,000.

EventCity is the biggest event of its kind in the UK and features fairground rides, an ice rink and a 1,000-seater auditorium with live shows.

Emily Wood runs Ashton-based arts organisation Cabasa and took the group’s puppets and structures along to both Geronimo festivals and is owed £1,000.

She said: “A thousand pounds is a lot to a small arts organisation, especially considering the year we have had.

“Cabasa suffered devastating losses due to the fire and to recoup some of those, we worked tirelessly throughout summer, creating new work and touring to as many outdoor events as possible.

“We were very excited to be invited to Geronimo and to not be paid has had a huge impact on us.”

She added: “I am disappointed Winter Funland is going ahead and I am sure if people going knew about the situation they would think twice about buying a ticket.”

Simon Goldman says he wants to carry on running the festival and has already set up a new company called Geronimo Events Ltd.

He said: “While we put our hearts and souls into creating and delivering Geronimo Festival, it has not been profitable for the last four years, during this period all the salaries of performers and contractors were paid in full, despite Geronimo making substantial losses.

“Due to the delivery of an additional festival down south at Knebworth House and our accumulated losses, the difficult decision was taken to place the business into voluntary administration.

“We are entirely sympathetic to all creditors, many of whom have already contacted us and agreed to work with the new company to deliver Geronimo in 2019, and we are hoping to be able to offer work to other creditors too.”