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Jess Glynne criticised as Medway Council offloads Rochester Castle Concerts management to outside company

Pop star Jess Glynne has been criticised by a leading councillor for "disgracefully" cancelling her appearance at a popular outdoor concert this summer.

It comes as Medway Council agreed to offload managing its Castle Concerts in Rochester to an outside company after suffering huge losses.

Jess Glynne cancelled her performance at Rochester Castle Concerts in 2019
Jess Glynne cancelled her performance at Rochester Castle Concerts in 2019

Cllr Howard Doe (Con), portfolio holder for housing and community services, said the Don't Be So Hard on Yourself singer quitting the show "at the last minute" forced organisers to desperately find a new headline act.

Glynne announced just weeks before the gig she had to pull out due to ill health on doctors' recommendations.

The Rather Be star had proved a huge hit as the £55-a-ticket show sold out but her cancellation led to hundreds of disappointed fans requesting refunds.

Cllr Doe said the concerts had not gone as well as hoped, adding: "Particularly for example this year when we had someone who in my view quite disgracefully withdrew from the concert at the last minute and left us with an awful lot of tickets we then had to sell.

"Although, we did get Craig David in at the last moment."

Medway Council reviewed the feasibility of the Castle Concerts after financial losses.
Medway Council reviewed the feasibility of the Castle Concerts after financial losses.

The 11 concerts held since 2009 have lost almost £1.65 million - at an average of £149,757 per year - with the last two events alone costing the council a t‬‬otal of £634,677.96.

Council chiefs said the losses were “unsustainable” and an urgent review into the future of the event was held.

Councillors were given different options on the future of the concerts, which over the years have also attracted the likes of UB40 and Steps.

At a meeting of the council's cabinet yesterday, councillors agreed to let an outside firm take over.

Cllr Doe said: "Over the last two or three years, we have seen a sea change in the way that artists are earning their money.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for housing and community services
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for housing and community services

"As we know, the artists on the pop bill particularly often have a fairly short shelf life before the next act comes along.

"They make they money now in that very short period by performing to very large audiences and receiving very large fees."

He went on to say the 4,500 capacity of the castle grounds was at logger heads with this.

Cllr Rupert Turpin (Con), portfolio holder for business management, said: "This is by no means an unmitigated disaster because we have had a fantastic amount of good entertainment there.

"But all good things come to an end and we reach a natural conclusion.

Cllr Rupert Turpin of Medway Council
Cllr Rupert Turpin of Medway Council

"I'm really hopeful that someone can come in with that commercial experience and probably a contact book full of people that are prepared to come and do it at the right price."

Under the plans, the concerts could move to the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham, although councillors said they would consider the impact this would have on the surrounding area.

Mr Turpin added: "The idea of it being up on the Great Lines, clearly the scale of that the commercial possibilities are much better.

"There may even be a profit available to pass on to the council for it."

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