Police launch probe over festival

In a statement on its website, Galtres Festival Trading Ltd, confirmed it has now been placed in administration and a meeting of creditors is being organised to formalise voluntary liquidation.

It says the company has significant liabilities, which are made up of loans to the company, trade creditors including suppliers, caterers and stall holders and sums owed to staff and performers.

Concerns have been made by stallholders and traders that following last month’s Galtres Festival at Duncombe Park, Helsmley, they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after not being paid what they were owed.

Today North Yorkshire Police confirmed that a complaint had been received.

“We can confirm that a complaint has been made and officers are working to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed,” A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said.

A spokesperson for Galtres Festival Trading Ltd said: “the festival has not succeeded in attracting sufficient numbers of attendees to meet its costs.”

The statement added: “We are deeply sorry to those individuals and businesses affected by this situation. We know hardship is being experienced as a result by several traders, staff, suppliers, contractors and others.

“We welcome the investigations into the festival business, which we are confident will exonerate us and allow us to move on. We are voluntarily opening our books and records to the police so that they may establish no wrong-doing has taken place. “Similarly the insolvency process, which we have instigated, will involve a thorough investigation into the financial management of the business and the conduct of the directors.

“Last week a decision was made to continue to press ahead with plans for next year. When the dust has settled we will need to review that decision in the context of the negative publicity which is now surrounding the festival, and we will also need to meet with the Duncombe Park estate to establish their views on the future. But as things stand it’s all systems go, and those people who have invested in earlybird tickets or Friends membership may look forward to future festivals every bit as good as this year’s.”