Four concerts due to take place at Ebrington Square in Derry next month are now in doubt over potential legal action.
It comes after a Stormont department withdrew permission for them to go ahead.
BBC News NI says it has a letter in which The Executive Office (TEO) has warned it “faces a threat of legal action” by a third party, believed to be the new Ebrington Hotel, if the August gigs go ahead.
The hotel opened next to the square earlier this month.
Ebrington Hotel received £15 million in taxpayers month for the investment from the then functioning Stormont Executive in January 2022.
The TEO letter does explain the grounds for the threatened legal action but BBC News NI says it understands it relates to the length of notice given to the hotel about the dates of the upcoming concerts.
It also said the concerts could potentially move to a different site in Derry’s St Columb’s Park.
Four concerts are planned for the public square at the former military site next month:
Dance event Stack City Raves on Saturday, August 5
Abba tribute gig Arrival from Sweden on Sunday, August 6
Singer Ryan McMullan on Friday, August 25
Dance festival Jika Jika on Sunday, August 27
Ebrington Hotel said it had no comment to make.
Inside one of the rooms at the newly opened Ebrington Hotel
The spokesman said the Executive Office has “invested significantly” in the square’s redevelopment , which “provides a unique, quality event space”.
“It is a significant asset to the city and the square will continue to host up to five major events per year, together with a range of minor events.”
As custodians of the site, only TEO can give permission for events to take place at Ebrington Square and it has said it reserves the right to withdraw that permission at any time.
Concerts and large events have been held in Ebrington Square since it was regenerated and opened to the public in 2012.
The former military parade ground has hosted some of the biggest music events ever held in Derry, including the Radio 1 Big Weekend in 2013.
In a letter to promoters seen by BBC News NI, TEO said as “guardian of the public purse, TEO cannot risk the significant impact of such litigation”.
It said that the event “may proceed on the times and dates planned but at the alternative venue of St Columb’s Park”.
St Columb’s Park is beside Ebrington and is owned by Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC).
St Columb’s Park could be used as alternative site for concerts next month
She said it has been outlined to promoters that if they wish to use the park as an alternative “council would seek to process applications for entertainment licences as quickly as possible”.
“The council recognises the importance of hosting large-scale events in the city and is keen to facilitate local promoters where it can assist in making these happen,” added the spokeswoman.
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