Morrison ordered to pay £40K in landlord row
Pub landlord Gary Marlow today won £40,000 (€58,000) UK High Court damages over the cancellation of a gig by Van Morrison.
Gary Marlow claimed that his thriving business collapsed when Van Morrison pulled out of a gig.
He sued the 57-year-old singer and his production company, Exile, for up to £400,000 (€580,000) over the cancellation in August 2002 at The Crown Hotel, Everleigh, Wiltshire, which had previously hosted concerts by Peter Green and John Mayall.
The claim included £20,000 (€29,000) for the return of Morrison’s advance, lost profits from tickets, alcohol, food and tobacco and, most seriously, damage to the business’s reputation.
He said that turnover at the 17th century inn had plunged from £25,000 (€36,000) a month to £7,000 (€10,000) and he struggled to make a living.
Morrison and Exile denied any breach of contract and said the claim for compensation was unsubstantiated.
Their lawyers told Mr Justice Cresswell, in London, that the concert was cancelled at the beginning of July 2002 as a result of Mr Marlow, 44, breaching a crucial condition restricting publicity.
