Entertainment

Government to review ‘dynamic pricing’ in wake of Oasis ticketing outrage

Published

1 year ago

September 2, 2024

THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced a comprehensive review of the ticket sales market following widespread backlash over the inflated prices of tickets for the recently announced Oasis reunion tour. The surge in prices, driven by dynamic pricing models, has left many fans feeling excluded from the chance to see their favourite band perform live, with ticket prices more than doubling from their face value.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her disappointment over the situation, describing the inflated prices as “incredibly depressing.” She highlighted the Government’s commitment to addressing the issue and ensuring that fans are not exploited by the system. Nandy stated that the review will focus on the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, particularly the technology behind queuing systems that appear to incentivise such practices.

***Many fans have been left feeling cheated after waiting all day to on computers and phones to try and buy tickets to the Oasis Live ’25 (Image: File)***

“After the incredible news of Oasis’ return, it’s depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live,” Nandy remarked in a statement. “This Government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. We will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales.”

The controversy erupted when fans attempting to purchase tickets for the Oasis reunion tour found themselves faced with prices that skyrocketed from the initial £75.00 to as much as £498.00 on Ticketmaster. The surge pricing model, also known as dynamic pricing, adjusts ticket prices based on demand, leading to what many fans have described as “sickening” and “scandalous” increases.

Crundale resident Gavin Young said: “I came into work on Saturday by 8.30am to use the office computers to buy my tickets. I was put into a queue of 274,677 people. After 8 hours of waiting at my desk I got to number one in the queue, but as soon as I got to the checkout the system was trying to charge me £498 for ‘budget seating’ for tickets that were initially advertised at £75.00 each.

“This is despite the band saying that tickets being sold over ‘face value’ would be cancelled.

“I feel devastated because I am a massive fan of the band, and one of those lucky enough to have seen Oasis live in Knebworth on August 11, 1996.

“Admittedly my mate and I, just 17-years-old at the time got given free tickets by a mystery woman walking out of the VIP entrance back stage, whilst we were trying to sneak in.

“We doubt that we would have the same luck this time around.”

One prominent figure affected by the pricing surge was Government minister Lucy Powell, who revealed that she had paid more than double the original quoted price for tickets to an Oasis show. Powell, the House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council, purchased two tickets for £350 each for the Heaton Park concert in July, which had originally been priced at £148.50, excluding a booking fee. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Powell admitted that while she does not “particularly like” surge pricing, it reflects how the market operates. However, she emphasised the need for transparency, stating, “You’ve absolutely got to be transparent about that so that when people arrive after hours of waiting, they understand that the ticket is going to cost more.”

Ticketmaster, the platform where the tickets were sold, has defended its role in the pricing controversy, clarifying that it does not set the prices. According to the company, ticket prices are determined by the “event organiser,” who prices the tickets according to their market value. Despite this defence, many fans were left frustrated, not only by the inflated prices but also by technical issues on the Ticketmaster website, which led to some being incorrectly labelled as bots and missing out on tickets altogether. However, Ticketmaster maintained that its website did not crash and advised customers to clear their cookies and use only one tab when attempting to purchase tickets.

***You’ve got to roll with it: Fans were told by promoters to keep waiting in the queue for tickets (Image: File)***

The Oasis reunion tour, marking the end of a decade-long feud between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, quickly sold out all 17 of its announced shows, including two in Cardiff. The overwhelming demand and the issues with ticketing have reignited debates over the fairness of the secondary ticket market and the ethics of dynamic pricing.

Adding to the concerns, secondary ticket seller Viagogo listed a seat at Wembley for July 25 at an eye-watering £5,289. The platform has defended its practices, with its global managing director stating that it is the fans who set the prices. Viagogo also reiterated that resale is legal in the UK and that fans are protected by a guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or get their money back.

In response to the controversy, Oasis has issued guidance to its fans, advising them to use only Ticketmaster and Twickets for reselling tickets and to list them at “face value” to avoid cancellation by the promoters. The band’s promoters, Manchester-based SJM Concerts, Irish MCD, and Scottish DF Concerts & Events, have yet to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has also weighed in on the debate, linking the issue of dynamic pricing to broader concerns about pricing practices in other sectors, such as travel companies and airlines, particularly during school holidays. Phillipson acknowledged that dynamic pricing is an area that requires further consideration, especially given its impact on families. However, she stressed the importance of ensuring children attend school regularly, warning that missing days at the start of the term can set a negative pattern for the future.

In the wake of the public outcry, fans have taken to Change.org to demand immediate action. Within the last 48 hours, over 16 petitions have been launched on the platform, collectively amassing thousands of signatures. These petitions primarily target Ticketmaster, calling for an end to what many fans see as exploitative practices.

One petition, echoing the sentiments of many, reads: “Their monopoly on the sale of tickets has allowed this greed to go unchecked for years. It’s time it was banned!” Another frustrated fan added: “It isn’t fair for us to have to pay more just because the event we wish to attend is in higher demand. Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing strategy unfairly exploits loyal fans who simply want to enjoy an event.”

The wave of petitions comes amidst a broader backlash against dynamic pricing, which has overshadowed the excitement surrounding Oasis’s much-anticipated return. Fans have also called on the band to add more tour dates or to consider broadcasting performances through national broadcasters to accommodate those unable to secure tickets.

Sylvia Rook, Lead Officer for Fair Trading at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “We are aware of the fact that many consumers have complained that the tickets they were offered, after having queued for several hours online, ended up costing substantially more than the originally advertised prices that were released at the end of last week.

“Whilst dynamic pricing is an accepted practice for holidays, flights and taxis, the difference here is that consumers are informed of the price before they decide to make a purchase. In this case, the public were given a price for tickets, and were not informed until they finally got to the front of the queue, that the price had increased. This undoubtedly meant that many consumers have overreached and ended up spending much more than they originally intended. Many other consumers ended up disappointed after deciding not to proceed to pay the vastly increased prices. One CTSI member who queued for 5 hours was faced with paying £348 for a standing ticket at Wembley when he was expecting to pay £151.

“Dynamic, or fluid pricing, is not specifically prohibited by consumer protection law; the important factor is that consumers are not misled by the indicated price. It is a breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 if a trader misleads consumers regarding the price of goods and services, if that causes the average consumer to take a different ‘transactional decision’. In this case many consumers would not have joined the queue had they known that the price would have increased by the time they were able to purchase, and many fans could not afford the increased price.

“Ticketmaster have said the tickets were ‘in demand’ tickets, which is why the price was higher but, to ensure consumer legislation is complied with, all relevant information about the price should have been given to consumers before they joined the queue. CTSI is also aware of the vastly increased price of tickets on resale sites, meaning that genuine fans are unable to buy tickets which may have been purchased by bots.

“Anyone who feels they were misled by the promotion of the Oasis tickets and the ticket platforms promoting them is encouraged to report the matter to Trading Standards by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 if in England and Wales. In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000, or if in Northern Ireland, call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

“We will be working with the government to see how consumers can be better protected with regard to the sale of event tickets.”

This isn’t the first time dynamic pricing has come under fire. In February, a Change.org petition started by user Allister Thompson garnered nearly 50,000 signatures, demanding that the practice be banned. Although this earlier petition did not lead to immediate action, there is renewed hope among concert-goers that the current Government review, announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, might finally address the issue.

As the Government prepares to launch its review, fans and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether new regulations will be introduced to curb the excesses of the current ticketing system. The aim is to create a fairer marketplace that puts fans first and protects them from the exploitative practices of touts and price surges, ensuring that live music remains accessible to all.

Entertainment

Periwinkle is mischievous but has a heart of gold

Published

6 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PERIWINKLE the sea sprite is mischievous, big-hearted and the guardian of the
Cleddau who loves exploring the Pembrokeshire coast and the loveable character
can’t wait to meet you all this December as Rapunzel comes alive on the Torch
Theatre stage.

From Broad Haven and Little Haven, to Druidstone, Newgale and St
David’s, Periwinkle has magical powers and abilities, can harness the armour and
strength of a crab, or the speed and agility of a fish!

Eifion ap Cadno, who plays Periwinkle, hails from Bangor in north Wales. He trained
in Acting and Contemporary Theatre at East 15 Acting School before heading out to
perform with theatre companies across the UK, Germany and Austria. This will be
his first ever pantomime appearance, and he can’t wait to entertain Pembrokeshire
audiences.

“I’m very much looking forward to taking part as everything about it is so positive.
The original script is mad, the cast members are so generous and supportive,
everyone involved is just so talented and a joy to work with. Moving from rehearsals
in the studio to the main stage and seeing all the design and technical elements
come together has been so magical. I feel very privileged to be a part of such a
brilliant team and production,” said Eifion.

Audiences will love Periwinkle’s fabulous look, all clad in netting, seaweed, shells
and coral, with enormous hair that is very blue. Periwinkle can move like a jellyfish,
sometimes a crab, sometimes a fish, or anything sea-dwelling and can be very silly
at times.

“Periwinkle has a rather fantastic and elaborate appearance, to put it mildly. Gettinginto costume, applying all my make-up and putting on the wig (it’s not my real hair,
sorry to disappoint), is definitely a big part of getting into character. The designer and
wardrobe team have done such an amazing job of bringing Periwinkle to life – I find
that once I’m all dolled up, most of the work has already been done!”

The magical and mischievous Periwinkle has been a favourite with school children
during the school pantomime sessions and the audience support has put Eifion at
ease.

“The truth is, nothing can quite prepare you for the stage – it’s such a different
experience finally having all those children sat watching you! And they’ve not sat
quietly so far, they’ve really got involved. Periwinkle, wants to be best friends with
the audience and get them to help fight the mean witch Mother Gothel and this has
meant a lot of audience interaction!”

Rapunzel, the hair-raising adventure can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage now
until Sunday 28 December. Relaxed Environment Performance Saturday 13
December at 2pm and BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday 16 December at
6pm. Ticket price: £24.50 | £20.00 Cons | £78.00 Family. For further information visit
the Torch Theatre website www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on
(01646) 695267.

Entertainment

Favourite ways Pembrokeshire residents unwind while off work over the holidays

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Staff Writer

Taking time off work over the festive season allows Pembrokeshire residents to slow down, enjoy moments of peace, and reconnect with activities that bring comfort and joy. With winter landscapes, cosy homes, and plenty of local traditions, the holiday break becomes a cherished opportunity to rest and recharge. From creative projects to outdoor adventures, locals make the most of their downtime with a blend of relaxation, mindfulness, and simple pleasures.

Baking holiday cookies

Baking is one of the most beloved ways Pembrokeshire residents spend their time off during the holidays. With extra hours at home and fewer work-related pressures, many turn to the kitchen to create festive treats ranging from ginger biscuits and mince pies to shortbread, cinnamon cakes, and colourful Christmas cookies. The process itself is deeply therapeutic, offering a slow, hands-on activity that feels both nostalgic and grounding. Some people enjoy the quiet rhythm of baking solo, pairing the experience with seasonal music or a hot drink, creating a cosy atmosphere that feels distinctly festive. The finished treats are often used for gifting, sharing with friends and neighbours, or enjoying during quiet evenings at home, making baking both a practical and comforting holiday tradition.

Digital entertainment

Digital entertainment becomes especially appealing during winter downtime, and many Pembrokeshire residents spend part of their holiday break enjoying online games. Casual mobile games and puzzle apps offer quick, low-effort fun, ideal for filling slow afternoons or relaxing before bed. Others enjoy playing more immersive console or PC games, especially when they finally have the time to dive into longer storylines or cooperative multiplayer sessions with friends who are also off work. Some residents also unwind with online casino games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker, appreciating the blend of strategy, entertainment, and convenience.

Digital casinos have advanced quickly over the past few years, and bettors who wager online can now find a wide range of games when they log on and fund their casino accounts in a variety of ways. For example, some players fund their accounts with a bank transfer, while others use e-wallets. Most players choose to use plastic cards, with many opting to play at credit card casinos so that they can fund their account using a credit card, because it’s quick and easy.

Digital entertainment offers a convenient and engaging way for people in Pembrokeshire to unwind during their time off, whether they prefer light mobile games or longer gaming sessions. With so many options available, residents can tailor their downtime to suit their mood, energy level, or schedule. For many, online gaming simply provides an easy, enjoyable escape during the quieter pace of the holiday break.

At-home spa days

Creating an at-home spa day is a favourite way for many Pembrokeshire residents to unwind when they finally have time off work. With simple touches like soothing music, soft lighting, essential oils, and nourishing skincare, people transform their homes into calming retreats. Whether it’s a DIY facial, a gentle exfoliation, or relaxing with a warm robe and a cup of herbal tea, the slower pace helps melt away built-up tension from the year. Many enjoy setting aside an afternoon specifically for self-care, allowing themselves to fully relax, reset, and feel restored during the holiday break.

Practising mindfulness

With work responsibilities temporarily on pause, many Pembrokeshire residents use the holiday period to focus on mindfulness and mental well-being. Practices like guided meditation, deep-breathing exercises, journaling, or gentle stretching become easier to incorporate when the pace of life slows down. Some people begin their mornings with a short meditation session, helping them feel centred before the day begins, while others wind down in the evenings with quiet reflection or gratitude journaling. Others choose mindfulness through creative activities such as drawing, knitting, or painting—tasks that encourage slow, intentional movement and quiet concentration. During a season that can be busy and emotionally demanding, mindfulness offers a grounding and restorative break.

Day hikes

Despite the chilly weather, Pembrokeshire’s breathtaking scenery continues to draw residents outdoors during their time off. Day hikes become a favourite way to unplug from screens and holiday busyness, offering fresh air, movement, and the calming effect of nature. Popular winter routes include stretches of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the rugged areas near St Davids, sheltered woodland paths, and quiet countryside trails around local villages. The crisp winter air and dramatic coastal views provide the perfect backdrop for clearing the mind and embracing the slower pace of the season. For some, hiking is a shared family activity, while others prefer the solitude of a peaceful solo walk. Regardless, it remains one of the most restorative holiday traditions for locals.

Making DIY holiday decorations

Creativity thrives when people finally have time to slow down, and many Pembrokeshire residents enjoy making DIY holiday decorations while off work. Using natural materials collected on walks—like pinecones, holly, driftwood, and evergreen branches—locals craft wreaths, table centrepieces, garlands, and homemade ornaments. Indoor crafts such as paper chains, painted baubles, and fabric decorations also fill many households with seasonal charm. These activities provide a fun, screen-free way to unwind while adding a personal touch to holiday décor. Families often turn DIY crafting into a shared tradition, while individuals enjoy the peaceful, satisfying process of creating something beautiful by hand.

A season of unwinding

Time off work during the holidays gives Pembrokeshire residents the chance to reconnect with hobbies, embrace cosy relaxation, and enjoy the region’s natural beauty. Whether staying warm indoors or exploring familiar paths, locals make the most of the peaceful winter break. The result is a season filled with simple joys, meaningful moments, and plenty of opportunities to recharge before returning to everyday routines.

Business

Computer gaming lounge plans for Tenby cinema submitted

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

FORMAL plans to turn Tenby’s former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema to a retro computer gaming lounge have been submitted to the national park.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby’s branch on White Lion Street.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a change of use of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, most recently used as a Poundland store to a retro gaming lounge.

This follows a recently submitted application for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former cinema, ahead of the wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front façade.

A supporting statement for the change of use scheme through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says: “The proposed retro gaming lounge will be inviting to all ages, including families, groups and individuals with no age restriction. The applicant has several similar premises across other parts of the UK and operates under a successful business model.

“This includes a fee being payable to enter the premises which thereby grants access to unlimited game time to all consoles/arcade machines. There will be no slot or coin-based reward games, so the proposal would not be considered/classed as gambling. The site will provide snacks and drinks (including alcohol) which will be canned/bottled drinks.

“The sale of such drinks would be ancillary to the overall function of the premises, and a separate alcohol licence will be submitted, accordingly.”

It adds: “The development would provide a much-welcomed addition to White Lion Rd which will improve the vitality and viability of the immediate area by promoting greater levels of footfall within the area and introduce greater variety to the shopping frontage at this location.”

It proposes opening hours of 10-10, Sunday to Thursday, and to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The application, and the related signage scheme, will be considered by park planners at a later date.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

The cinema had been doing poor business after the opening of a multiplex in Carmarthen; in late 2010 the opening night of the-then latest Harry Potter blockbuster only attracted an audience of 12 people.