A music gig at an award-winning Donaghadee hospitality venue has been cancelled after Ards and North Down Council intervened over licensing laws.

The event, scheduled for this Saturday evening at Saints and Sinners, was called off when the council informed owners Jason and Karen Carnduff they did not have the legal right to use the premises for music entertainment. The notice arrived just 12 days before the planned performance.

The Carnduffs had previously paid almost £1,000 to PPLRS, the UK regulatory body for vetting and licensing, but the council said an entertainment licence is required under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Applying for such a licence would take approximately two months, making it impossible to proceed with the event.

In a social media post, the owners expressed disappointment and said they had contacted the council in November 2025 to ask about requirements but were not told an entertainment licence was necessary. They also questioned why other live music performances in the area, such as during daytime or at outdoor festivals, appeared to be permitted without similar licensing issues.

The business is now issuing refunds to ticket holders. Councillor Mark Brooks attempted to intervene on the owners' behalf and stated he did not believe they were trying to avoid the necessary licence.

A council spokeswoman confirmed it is an offence to provide entertainment without a licence and said the local authority has a statutory duty to ensure compliance. She added that officers are available to support any premises wishing to apply and will process applications as quickly as possible.