LONDON (VIP NEWS) — A UK promoter has won a legal battle against Manchester City Council over the cancellation of a Bob Marley Tribute Festival which had been due to take place in the Northern England city in August 2008.
Sean Paul and Kymani Marley, the son of the late Bob Marley, were among the artists announced as due to appear at the 15,000-capacity gig, which was promoted by Manchester-based Gold National Events Ltd (GNEL).
Despite initially granting permission for the concert Manchester City Council later withdrew its support for the festival, citing police advice over safety concerns.
During the hearing, Det. Chief Supt David Keller of Greater Manchester Police told the court members that while he did have reservations about GNEL safely organizing the festival, he had not advised the council to cancel the concert.
Delivering the verdict at Manchester's Civil Justice Centre on July 30, Judge Hegarty QC, ruled: "Gold National has succeeded in establishing a breach of contract by Manchester City Council."
In a statement, Mike Forrester, GNEL director stated: "I am very proud of this positive outcome of the case as it represents an important landmark for the 'ordinary man in the street'."
Forrester claimed that Manchester City Council's decision to withdraw permission for the festival combined with legal costs and loss of earnings had cost his company £500,000.
