Organisers of a St Asaph festival have sought legal advice over £13,000 in unpaid ticket sales.
The box office for the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph was run by the Scala Cinema in Prestatyn which closed its doors in January
Festival organisers claim the cinema has not handed over the thousands of pounds they collected on their behalf and are “determined” to recover monies owing to them.
Despite the dispute, this year’s event will go ahead. A concert launching the Festival will take place on September 20 while the festival itself runs from September 26 to October 3.
Sue Last, vice chair, said: “Naturally, we are extremely disappointed that the monies collected by the Scala has not been passed onto us. We are taking legal advice about the matter.”
“Denbighshire County Council have offered to give us a bridging loan if that is required as a temporary measure in the meantime.”
The programme for this year’s festival is being put together by Artistic Director Ann Atkinson. The festival was founded in 1972.
Ms Atkinson, a mezzo soprano, added: “The cathedral has a very special acoustic – the combination of the stone and the wood creates something really magical. Despite our difficulties, we are well on the way to putting together another excellent festival this year and we will be unveiling a stellar line up in the next couple of months.”
Denbighshire County Council confirmed that the loan was something that the authority was considering.
The spokesperson said: “We appreciate that the North Wales Music Festival is an important part of the cultural events calendar which attracts world class talent. We are in discussion with the organisers and considering their request.”
Trevor Harris, former owner of Oswestry’s Regal Cinema who expressed interest in taking on the Scala, commented:
“I feel there is something suspicious. It begs the questions what else do they owe?”
Rhiannon Hughes, former chair of the Scala Trust, said:
“The issues with the Music Festival are in the hands of our solicitors so it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
Source: Rhyl Journal news article 15 April 2015 by Suzanne Jordan
