A British pub owner has won damages from a production company over the cancellation of a Van Morrison concert that he claimed brought his business to the point of collapse. However, the High Court in London dismissed claims made by Mr Gary Marlow against Van Morrison personally.
Mr Marlow had sued the Belfast-born singer and his production company, Exile, for up to £400,000 sterling over the cancellation in August 2002 at The Crown Hotel, Everleigh, Wiltshire.
But Mr Justice Cresswell ruled that he was entitled to only £40,000 - including the £20,000 advance fee paid to Exile.
Mr Morrison's counsel, Mr Thomas Croxford, claimed his side, which had paid £31,500 into court to settle the case and had made other offers far in excess of the judge's award, were still the "substantial victors" in relation to the amount of damages.
He said that he would ask for the bulk of their costs when the case returns to court tomorrow morning.
Mr Marlow's claim included the advance plus lost profits from tickets, alcohol, food and tobacco and damage to the business's reputation. He said that turnover at the 17th-century inn had plunged from £25,000 a monthto £7,000 and he struggled to make a living.
Morrison and Exile denied any breach of contract and said the claim for compensation was unsubstantiated.