Plug pulled on two Shugborough events

THE PLUG has been pulled on two outdoor concerts near Stafford after the organisers went into liquidation. Jools Holland’s performance on August 18 and the National Symphony Orchestra’s summer proms on August 19 have been cancelled.

Organiser EMS Promotions, based in Norwich, has instructed Business Rescue and Insolvency Company, McTear Williams & Wood to assist with placing the company into liquidation.

The summer concerts have proved a popular draw to the historic estate for the past two years. Jools Holland performed there in 2010 and last year a musical tribute to Queen rocked the grounds. It is believed almost 4,000 tickets had been sold for this month’s events through a variety of outlets including the estate’s ticket office and Stafford’s Gatehouse Theatre.

Councillor Pat Corfield from Staffordshire County Council, which runs Shugborough, said: “We are obviously bitterly disappointed that these concerts have been cancelled due to EMS Promotions, which hired the Shugborough Estate as the venue, going into liquidation.

“Our priority is to assist anyone who purchased tickets either from Shugborough directly or through the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre to receive a full refund.

“Undoubtedly many people will be upset that these two events will not take place. I would like to reassure people that no other Shugborough events are affected and the estate is open as normal.”

Anyone who bought tickets from Shugborough’s office should contact 01889 881 388 for a full refund, or call 0300 111 8000 if the office is busy. Alternately people can email Shugborough.promotions@staffordshire.gov.uk

Anyone who booked through the Gatehouse Theatre should contact 01785 254 653 for refunds and those who booked directly through EMS concerts, tourist information centres or other venues should contact McTear Williams & Wood on 0800 085 5070 for advice.

Staffordshire Newsletter
30 July 2012