THE National Trust has cancelled two music events planned for a stately home, following a series of problems.
Proms in the Park, and a concert by Jools Holland, were scheduled to take place at Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, on June 2 and 3.
But in March, promoter Glyn Laverick became involved in a dispute with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which owns the land. Now, following a separate wrangle, the trust has withdrawn permission.
Music lovers from throughout the region, who had bought tickets for both events, have been offered refunds.
Mr Laverick said: "We approached the National Trust last year to do two shows and contracts were meant to be started then, but the first copy we saw was in June.
"There was an awful lot missing."
Mr Laverick said he was still unhappy with a replacement draft, which came with a seven-day time limit for acceptance.
He claims nothing was mentioned about the events being cancelled until he was told permission was being withdrawn.
Mr Laverick, 19, who heads the company Standard Deviation, said the cancellations would cost him £85,000.
Stephen Cornford, estates manager at Ormesby Hall, said there had been "contractual difficulties".
"We were looking forward to having the concerts, and are extremely sorry to the people who support us so well," he said, adding that when Jools Holland appeared last year, he employed a different promoter.
Mr Laverick fell foul of Redcar and Cleveland council after he refused to pay public entertainment licence fees.
The council threatened to revoke the licences unless he paid by the end of last month.
Last night, Mike Douglas, the council's licence manager, said: "The council is still waiting for Mr Laverick to pay the two fees for the licences, which amount to £1,298. Mr Laverick has been advised that the council will take steps to recover outstanding fees.
"However, at this time, the council has not withdrawn the licences."
All tickets sold by the trust will be refunded within the next few days. Concert-goers who bought tickets through Standard Deviation are asked to contact 0870 162 0111.
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