The Irish singer Van Morrison is being sued for up to £400,000 after pulling out of a gig in a country pub.
Gary Marlow, licensee of the Crown Hotel in Everleigh, Wiltshire, says his business collapsed when the gig was cancelled in August 2002.
His counsel, Stuart Cakebread, told Mr Justice Cresswell that the claim included £20,000 for the return of the singer's advance plus lost profits from tickets, alcohol, food and tobacco.
Mr Cakebread said the damage to the reputation of the 17th century inn, which Mr Marlow had built up since 1997, was so bad that he now struggled to make a living at all.
The turnover of around £25,000 a month had plummeted to £7,000 and a recent beer festival had only attracted 20 people, when previous similar events brought in 2,000.
Mr Morrison, who will not be attending the hearing, and his production company Exile deny that there was any breach of contract. They say the claim for compensation is unsubstantiated.
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Pub to sue Irish singer Van Morrison (17 July 2002)