THE organisers of a summer music festival said to be facing financial challenges have been criticised for a delay in announcing the cancellation of the event.
Doune the Rabbit Hole is due to take place in Port of Menteith in Stirlingshire from July 17-19 with US hip-hop legends Public Enemy, Glasgow’s Belle & Sebastian and Buzzcocks among those scheduled to perform.
While it is unlikely the event will be permitted to be held due to the continuing pandemic, event organisers have not yet announced the cancellation, meaning ticket holders are unable to secure refunds. It is still possible to purchase tickets on the event’s website.
The festival is run annually by Jamie Murray and his father Craig Murray, who is a former British diplomat.
Craig Murray is facing contempt of court proceedings for blog posts written during the recent trial of former First Minister Alex Salmond, who was cleared of all charges of sexual assault and attempted rape,
In a recent online post Mr Murray talks about the financial challenges of hosting the festival, which is free to children under 12, adding: “Let me be perfectly open with you and say that this is the year we finally hope we will reach a size where the festival stops losing money.”
According to company house records, the firm, which organised the festival in 2017 and 2018, has applied to be struck off the register and dissolved.
In a statement, posted on Facebook on April 16, the organisers apologise for the delay in updating ticketholders and say they are consulting with police and Stirling council and following government updates.
They say that if the event the festival is cancelled, ticket holders will be asked to roll over passes “in order to help Doune survive this period, which is extremely financially difficult for what is a small, independent arts organisation”.
However, they add that refunds will be possible if the event is cancelled.
One Glasgow ticketholder said: “I’ve paid more than £200 for tickets and I’d just like a refund now. I cannot be sure that I will be able to attend next year. Everyone is struggling financially at the moment.
“They should really be making an announcement given that the event is in July.”
Others pledged to support the event and roll over their tickets with one saying: “Totally understandable and expected, surprised still to officially announce cancellation as seems like logical though disappointing thing to do. Definitely a roll forward for me. Anything to support this festival.”
Most of this year’s major music festivals have been cancelled, including Glasgow’s TRNSMT and Summer Nights at the Bandstand, which was due to be held in August.
The Glasgow Times contacted the organisers for comment but they did not respond.
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