6PM show; show cancelled 16Jul2002; did not occur; 40,000 for cancelled Van Morrison gig-From the archive, first published Tuesday 11th Nov 2003. A pub landlord has won 40,000 High Court damages over the cancellation of a gig by rock star Van Morrison which he said brought his thriving Wiltshire business to the point of collapse. Gary Marlow had sued the 57-year-old singer and his production company, Exile, for up to 400,000 over the cancellation in August 2002 at The Crown Hotel, Everleigh, which had previously hosted concerts by Peter Green and John Mayall. But Mr Justice Cresswell ruled that he was entitled to only 40,000 - including the 20,000 advance fee paid to Exile. Mr Morrison's counsel, Thomas Croxford, claimed that his side, which had paid 31,500 into court to settle the case and had made other offers far in excess of the judge's award, were still the `substantial victors' in relation to the amount of damages. He said that he would ask for the bulk of their costs when the case returns to court tomorrow morning. Mr Marlow said afterwards `I would like to say that I am absolutely thrilled that we have taken on one of the kings of rock and we have won. Unfortunately we didn't get what we should have had but nevertheless we have beaten him.' His claim included the advance plus lost profits from tickets, alcohol, food and tobacco and damage to the business's reputation. He said that turnover at the 17th century inn had plunged from 25,000 a month to 7,000 and he struggled to make a living. Morrison and Exile denied any breach of contract and said the claim for compensation was unsubstantiated. Mr Croxford said that the concert was cancelled at the beginning of July 2002 as a result of Mr Marlow, 44, breaching a crucial condition restricting publicity. Mr Morrison is currently in Ireland and was not in court in London.