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We had plug pulled twice on birthday bash

by Ruhubia Akbor
18/ 2/2008

IT was meant to be the birthday bash of the year, but a group of Oldham teenagers ended up paying more than £1,000 for two parties that didn’t happen.

The eight college students (pictured) had decided to celebrate their 17th and 18th birthdays in style, by organising a huge joint party at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

But after forking out £1,026 to hire out the venue and staff – as well as extra expenses for food, cakes, tuxedos and cars – the lads were turned away at the doors, not once but twice!

Speaking on behalf of the group, 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Khaled explained that the party was initially arranged for January 21.

He said: "The first one was cancelled a few hours before because they said my friend who signed the contract was underage."

He claims the hall receptionist had asked the youth’s age on the day when he signed for the hire of the building and that he was told there was not a problem. This is a point disputed by the council, which owns the facility

One thing beyond dispute is that around 250 guests were expected at the ‘do’ and many were inconvenienced by the 11th-hour cancellation.

The lads managed to rearrange the party for January 29, after one of their mothers said she would sign the contract and remain on the premises during the party.

Once again the flyers and tickets were printed, cars and outfits re-hired and cakes re-ordered.

But on the day of the party the boys claim they were now told they would not be allowed on the premises without two people over the age of 21 willing to take responsibility.

Mohammed said: "My friend’s mum was delayed and we were all waiting outside for her. They were then asking some of our former teachers – who were invited as guests – to take responsibility.

"There were plenty of other adults there, but they wouldn’t let us enter the building."

The boys claim they were left standing at the door as staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hall left.

To make matters worse, when they later approached the hall for a refund they were told they would only get £209 as the money had already been used to pay for equipment, staff and bouncers.

Mohammed said: "The event didn’t even happen and the money has gone to waste. We’re really angry and embarrassed. We had to apologise to our former teachers."

A spokesman for Oldham Council said: "It was unfortunate but we were left with no alternative. After cancelling the initial booking on advice from the police and discovering that the client was in fact turning 17 and not 18, we met to agree a way forward.

"In doing so we agreed that the party could be held on January 29 as long as the client agreed to two conditions. One was that the hire agreement and contract had to be signed by a responsible adult and the other was that two responsible adults, in addition to our own staff, would be in attendance.

"The client’s mother signed the contract and we were told that teachers from the client’s school would be present. However, on the night of the party there were no responsible adults present so we had no alternative but to cancel.

"The client will be refunded the hire cost less the costs incurred by the council for staff having to turn out for both dates."

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