Parents demand refunds over cancelled school trips

PGL, which runs activity centres across the UK, cancelled visits and closed its centres earlier this year, in response to Covid-19.

Kids at Newburgh Primary school were preparing to enjoy a trip to Dalguise in Perthshire at the end of March, where they would have taken part in fun activities, when the trip was cancelled. However, PGL has yet to give parents and carers, some of whom paid hundreds of pounds, a refund.

“My daughters were due to go at the end of March but at the last minute it was cancelled,” said Avril Watson.

“It’s ridiculous. We’ve been told that Fife Council have it with its legal team – that’s all we’ve been told. The school has been brilliant and updates us. I think it’s so unfair. We were going to use the money to do up the kids’ bedrooms and have some fun during lockdown.”

Avril paid £320 for each of her two daughters, in P6 and P7, to go on the trip, and she is waiting for her £640 refund.

“They were dead excited,” she said. “They had got all their stuff. We had spent money on the trip, but also items for the trip like walking boots.

“Other people on Facebook have left comments, with one woman saying she had spent more than £1000.”

Newburgh PS is just one school affected by the cancellations. Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Morag Ferguson, confirmed that the council’s legal team has written to PGL asking it to progress refunds to those affected.

She added: “We are aware that a number of schools are waiting for refunds from PGL. We are pursuing this with the company and hope for a speedy response.”

However, MSP Willie Rennie and MP Wendy Chamberlain have called on the local authority to pay for the refunds.

Mr Rennie said: “While it is obvious that cancelling these trips was the right thing to do for safety reasons, there is no obvious reason why Fife Council should hold on to the costs of cancelled trips.”

Ms Chamberlain added: “Many parents may be happy to save the money and put it towards future trips, but it should be up to them what they do with their money. I hope the council do the right thing and offer the families affected a refund.”

A PGL spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm we are in contact with Fife Council with regard to PGL trips and how we are able to support schools and parents.”