Tuesday 22 May 2007

Pubs change payment scheme to bands

For the purposes of clearing up an issue with payments at a number of venues I thought I'd create a blog open for discussion for bands and anyone wishing to comment.

Recently the paying arrangements at various pubs, including the Coopers Arms in Chadwell Heath, Towngate in Basildon and Fatling & Firkin at Hornchurch were changed as the head office has chosen to use a company called EVENT UK as paymaster. Whilst a company taking care of the finances is a good move there were concerns that the payments to the bands would be delayed by 4 weeks, paid by cheque and there were initial concerns that Event UK would take commission from those payments. A number of bands were not happy with this arrangement and cancelled gigs because of it. However, tonight I received the agreement forms detailing the new arrangement.

Bands are required to complete details of address, identification, bank account details and declaration by signed agreement and are to invoice Event UK direct. The band will be paid the usual fee direct to their bank account the Friday following the received invoice (assuming the agreement has been received by Event UK). All bookings will continue through the pub management.

On Friday 25th May Undercover play the Fatling & Firkin, Hornchurch, under the new arrangements and we will be reporting how the system worked for us in the assurance it may inform others.

We're hoping that the venues don't suffer as a result of this new arrangement but as we frequent some of these pubs we feel there's a loss to all if some of the top bands decide no longer to play at these venues. It's noticeable from livebandphotos that perhaps that has already become the case.

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