An eagerly awaited Halloween event known for its spine-chilling scare mazes has been abruptly called off, leaving several workers facing financial uncertainty. The immersive “Haunt Fest,” which was highly anticipated across the country, was unexpectedly canceled mid-run due to the company behind it reportedly going into liquidation.
Initially promoted as a must-attend experience on social media, the Halloween Haunt Fest at the Hertfordshire County Showground was supposed to entertain visitors from October 17 until November 1. However, the event, offering discounted opening weekend tickets at £29.99, was terminated earlier than scheduled, disappointing both attendees and staff members.
One of the performers, Phoebe Shergold-Willis, shared her disappointment after not receiving payment for her role as a zombie-like character named Ethel, amounting to around £1,600. Despite the actors being promised £85 per day and payment within 30 days of invoicing, it seemed none of them had been compensated, leaving many, including Shergold-Willis, in a state of financial distress.
In an official statement released online, Nick Doherty, the CEO of In the Scenes Ltd, the company behind the event, announced the company’s closure and voluntary insolvency, resulting in the immediate discontinuation of Halloween Haunt Fest. He cited unforeseen financial challenges as the reason behind the company’s inability to continue operations.
The sudden shutdown has not only affected the performers but also other service providers like Sentry and K9, a security company, who expressed their financial struggles after the event’s cancellation. Despite the chaos, efforts are being made to ensure that outstanding payments are settled, although it poses a significant challenge to many businesses involved.
While the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society clarified its non-involvement in the event’s organization, it acknowledged being owed a substantial sum for the rental of the showground. The society empathized with all those affected by the situation, emphasizing solidarity with the unpaid actors, employees, and contractors. Requests for comments from Halloween Haunt Fest remain unanswered as the fallout of the event continues to unfold.