Lack of space, time commitment and income are the reasons behind Creative Tauranga's decision to end its relationships with ticketing agencies iTicket and Eventfinda.

The decision to cease ticket vending for both agencies coincides with the charitable trust's move to its new, smaller premises in the Tauranga City Council arcade this month.

One of the reasons why Creative Tauranga has ended its relationships with ticketing agencies iTicket and Eventfinda is due to a lack of space at its new premises in the Tauranga City Council arcade. Photo: File.

This affects over-the-counter sales only and tickets can still be purchased online or over the phone from both agencies.

Creative Tauranga acting general manager Jennifer Pearson says they are disappointed they could not continue providing the service for the community.

'But at the end of the day, you have to do what's right for your organisation,” she explains.

'We knew we were moving into a smaller space and wouldn't have much desk space to house all of the infrastructure that was needed, which includes promotional material, tickets and laptops for each service.”

She also explains that providing the service swallowed up a lot of staff time when major events were taking place, but then would virtually 'taper off to nothing”.

'It was a big staff commitment that wasn't justifying the income and we found that it was too tricky to manage.”

The local groups, companies and organisations who use iTicket or Eventfinda for ticketing have now all been informed, but Jennifer is unable to confirm how many are affected.

Jennifer says the trust is currently undertaking a strategic review, and a decision on whether or not they become a vendor for another agency in the future will be made once 'a clear strategic direction is found”.

iTicket managing director Reece Preston confirms it was Creative Tauranga's decision to end the relationship due to their relocation to smaller premises.

Since being formally told at the end of October, Reece says the agency have been working hard to find a new vendor for Tauranga.

'We've talked to five different options and one of them said yes on Tuesday,” he says. 'We're just working through the contract at the moment, so I can't say who that is at this stage.

'All going well, we should be able to make an announcement next week.”

A spokesperson for Eventfinda confirmed they too were also on the hunt for a new local vendor but were unable to comment on the process.

Creative Tauranga acting general manager Jennifer Pearson (centre) with gallery curator Millie Newitt and front of house/CCS administrator Kalena-Lee Tane. Photo: File.