Anxious Edinburgh performer 'owed £15k' as Summerhall venue's account frozen

Laura Horton
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


An Edinburgh performer told of her "extreme anxiety" at being owed £15,000 from ticket sales after Summerhall's bank account was frozen.

Laura Clare Horton, 41, performed her show Lynn Faces at the festival within the main hall of the venue and said she used her personal money to fund part of the run.

Summerhall's management revealed on Monday their bank account has been frozen following legal action from HMRC over 'unpaid tax'.

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Laura is just one performer out of 'hundreds' waiting on their box office payments and said she "still hasn't processed what it means if she doesn't get it back".

Posting a statement on social media, Robert McDowell, Director of Summerhall Management Limited, claimed "no corporation tax is due to HMRC" and have been working to address and resolve the matter.

The 41-year-old from Plymouth said: "I received my settlement from the box office and then a day later I got a phone call telling me information would be coming out about their bank account being frozen.

"They have been communicative with me but it's so horrible for everyone involved. It's just not knowing what's happening and that's why it's causing so much anxiety.

"I was lucky enough to be supported by three co-commissions but that only covered half of my Edinburgh experience and I had to fundraise for the second half, so this is my personal money.

"It's honestly too big for me to think about and I don't think I have processed what it means if I don't get it back. I don't have a safety so who knows what this could mean for my career.

"I am also aware it could all be fine, it's just difficult not knowing what to do."

This comes after the iconic venue was listed for sale in May and Edinburgh council were working to ensure it is not lost as an arts centre within the capital.

Laura said she "took a risk" performing at the Fringe this year with her show 'Lynn Faces'. She hoped the £15,000 would help her cover the costs needed to pay those involved with the project.

She added: "I am really trying not to catastrophise it because it could all work out but I do need to seriously think about what I am going to do.

"Coming to the Fringe was a risk for me financially and I just think all of this is an extremely complicated situation for everyone involved. I will personally be at a loss if I don't get this back."

Robert McDowell, Summerhall Management Limited Director said: "Summerhall Management has had a winding up petition presented against it by HMRC. The petition is in relation to unpaid Corporation Tax.

"We believe there is no corporation tax due to HMRC and have been working with professional advisors to address and resolve matters with HMRC. Summerhall Management are defending the proceedings raised and we hope a resolution can be achieved which will allow us to deal with this and move on quickly.

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"At this time, we must follow a very strict set of guidelines imposed upon us of what we can and cannot do, please bear with us whilst we work to fully understand the situation. The team are already in communication with those we work with who may be affected by this action, but we intend to trade as best we can, and in line with what is permissible, whilst we defend this action.

"The landlord, for whom we manage the building for on their behalf, have also been made aware and will be in direct communication with their tenants as required."

An Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Spokesperson said: "We recognise that this news will be concerning for Fringe artists, and our Artist Services team is here to support any participant who may be affected.

"We have been in close contact with the management team at Summerhall to offer our support and better understand what implications this may have for artists from this year's Fringe.

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"As a valued venue within the Fringe landscape, we understand that there will be significant interest in this development and are here to help the Summerhall team in any way we can."