Hotel chain accused of cancelling bookings for Oasis gig dates to hike prices
Guests who had booked rooms at a hotel in Manchester city centre were left disappointed when they received cancellation notices on the same day that Oasis announced their massive tour – as there was a surge in room prices across the city.
In messages from booking operators, customers were told their reservations at the Maldron could not be followed through due to a “technical error”. It came as affordable hotel rooms in and around Manchester quickly vanished from booking sites for the dates of the Oasis concerts, with others increasing by hundreds of pounds in price.
On Tuesday, Noel and Liam Gallagher revealed plans for a UK and Ireland tour in 2025, which includes four homecoming shows in Heaton Park, Manchester. The Manchester concerts are scheduled for Friday, July 11, Saturday, July 12, Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20.
Many travellers had made bookings at the Maldron hotels in Manchester, both at the city centre location on Charles Street and the Cathedral Quarter branch on Chapel Street, shortly after the tour dates were announced on Tuesday morning. But they were later informed that their bookings could not be honored and were asked to accept cancellation requests.
A spokesperson for the hotel has issued a statement explaining that a “technical error” in their booking system on August 26 and 27 led to an overbooking for the nights – with more rooms listed to book than were available – coinciding with the Oasis concerts at Heaton Park. They assured this was not an attempt to resell rooms at higher prices.
Sacha Lord, night time economy advisor for Greater Manchester, called on Maldron hotels to “do the right thing” in a post shared by Andy Burnham on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Josh Finney, one of those affected, said that he had secured his room at the Maldron shortly after the tour was announced, for July 11, with a confirmation showing a charge of £90.30. But at 8pm on Tuesday, he said he was informed by booking.com about the cancellation due to a ‘technical error.’
Another customer said he booked a room at the Maldron hotel on Tuesday morning for the night of July 20 for £145. Despite receiving an initial confirmation, shortly after he received a message indicating there had been a mistake with his booking.
Manchester councillor Pat Karney told the M.E.N: “We have spoken to trading standards at the town hall about this. We hope the hotel will do the right thing and honor the bookings.”
A representative for Maldron hotels said they are investigating the issue and assured customers that they will be honoring all bookings made prior to August 26.
The Booking.com spokesperson commented that they intervene on behalf of customers when accommodations are unable to honor reservations.