Heritage Live has cancelled its concert series across Englefield Estate, Audley End Estate, and Sandringham Estate, citing “far lower than average ticket sales” and “general financial uncertainty”.
The planned line-ups included Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Eric Clapton, Ricky Martin, and Lionel Richie at Sandringham; Scissor Sisters, Pete Tong, The Streets, and Faithless at Audley End; and Richard Ashcroft, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, and Ministry of Sound Classical at Englefield.
A Heritage Live statement read: “We’re devastated to report the heart-breaking news that we have no choice but to cancel this summer’s Heritage Live festivals at the Englefield Estate, the Audley End Estate and the Sandringham Estate.
“We’d been working desperately hard behind the scenes to conclude an investment and equity package to ease the burden of an extraordinarily tough year, but this last beacon of hope has fallen through at the 11th hour, making it impossible to go ahead.”
It said that it had become “almost impossible” to compete in what had become an “increasingly saturated” festival market.
“The might of huge multi-nationals has had the adverse effect of driving up supplier, artist and staffing costs and whilst it’s still just about manageable during a normal year, the cost-of-living crisis combined with general financial uncertainty, has resulted in several shows having far lower than average ticket sales, making it impossible to survive in such a competitive industry, with so many rising costs.
“It would therefore be irresponsible and wrong of us to proceed without the certainty that we’d be able to meet all of our supplier, artist and crew costs.
“The whole Heritage Live team is absolutely devastated. It would have been the most amazing summer with such an extraordinary array of supreme talent and we’re all so very sorry to let everyone down.”
The organiser said refunds would be made available via its ticket agents AXS Ticketing, Ticketmaster, See Tickets, Gigantic, Skiddle, and Ticketline – and urged ticket holders to retain their transaction receipt.
It said that in many cases those who had purchased a ticket would get a refund “automatically within a reasonable period”.
The statement added: “Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and enjoyed our events over the past 10 years.
“Whilst this is devastating news, we hope that in time you’re able to look back with fond memories to those happier days; we’ve had so many awesome and magical moments over the years and hope they remain in your hearts forever.”
Livin’ La Vida Loca singer Martin’s gig at Sandringham had been due to be his first UK show for a decade.
The day festival series has previously seen performances from The Who, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Van Morrison, Mariah Carey, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, Jess Glynne, and Nile Rodgers.
