No profit on Chase gigs

Three large outdoor concerts on Cannock Chase this summer failed to make any profit for the beauty spot because the weather was so bad, it was revealed today.

Hopes of a tidy profit being ploughed back into the forest were dashed after organisers had to spend an unexpected £8,000 bringing in wood chippings and stone to put in front of the stage for the concerts, which were held in June.

Thousands of people attended the events, but Forestry Commission staff at Cannock Chase have now been informed there would be no cash to go back to the district.

Last year's first ever concerts in the forest also failed to make a profit because of the cost of excavating the ground but it had been hoped this summer's events would generate income for the beauty spot.

Alastair Semple, forest planner at Cannock Chase, said: "We didn't make any return on this site due to spending £8,000 because of the wet weather and us having to bring in wood chippings and stone.

"We didn't make a loss but we did not make a profit either. It was so wet on the Friday that, to make it safe for the Saturday and Sunday, we had to bring in the wood because it would have been too slippy and safety had to come first."

He added: "It would usually take until the fourth or fifth year to start making a good return on the concerts anyway so we are not worried."

Concerts are set to return to Cannock Chase next year on June 27, 28 and 29 but the names of acts have not yet been released. The Feeling, James Morrison and Jools Holland performed this year.