Firm sorry over Christmas parties

The premises were empty when trading standards officers called

A Christmas party firm has apologised to more than 1,000 people whose plans were wrecked when it went bust.

Birmingham-based UK Balls Limited went into liquidation last week owing 1,300 people across the region a total of £60,000 for parties they had booked.

A statement from the firm said: "We want to genuinely apologise to our loyal staff and to everyone that has purchased tickets."

The balls were to be held at Sandwell Park Farm Showground, West Bromwich.

The firm said the problems were caused when a number of firms who had said they would be attending the balls made alternative arrangements.

Home re-possessed

"New business was constantly sought from the beginning to the very end but [we] could not make up the deficit in numbers created by the withdrawal of so many at such a late stage," the firm's statement said.

It also apologised to suppliers and said it had tried to avoid going into liquidation. The owner and director of the UK Balls lost £20,000 and has had his house repossessed.

It is unclear if any of the people who bought tickets will be refunded.

The liquidators are Bottomley and Co, based in Cawston near Rugby.