Heritage Live 2026 at Audley End, Essex, cancelled

The Heritage Live shows at Audley End in Saffron Walden, originally scheduled for August 6, 7, and 8, have been called off after organisers failed to secure a last-minute investment deal.

This year’s line-up included DJ Pete Tong, the Scissor Sisters with special guests Bananarama, and The Streets featuring guest grime artist JME.

Scissor Sisters (pictured at the Brits in 2007) were due to perform at the major Audley End event (Image: PA)

Promoter Heritage Live has also cancelled shows at Englefield Estate and a major festival at Sandringham Estate.

In a statement, the organisers said: "We'd been working desperately hard behind the scenes to conclude an investment and equity package to ease the burden of an extraordinarily tough year, but this last beacon of hope has fallen through at the 11th hour, making it impossible to go ahead.

Venue - Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden (Image: Google)

"As one of the few remaining British independent promoters, it's become almost impossible to compete in what has become an increasingly saturated festival market.

"The might of huge multi-nationals has had the adverse effect of driving up supplier, artist and staffing costs and whilst it's still just about manageable during a normal year, the cost-of-living crisis combined with general financial uncertainty, has resulted in several shows having far lower than average ticket sales, making it impossible to survive in such a competitive industry, with so many rising costs."

The team also emphasised the financial risks of continuing.

"It would therefore be irresponsible and wrong of us to proceed without the certainty that we'd be able to meet all of our supplier, artist and crew costs," it added.

"The whole HeritageLive team is absolutely devastated.

"It would have been the most amazing summer with such an extraordinary array of supreme talent and we're all so very sorry to let everyone down."

The company has assured ticket holders that refunds will be issued via their original ticket agents, including AXS Ticketing, Ticketmaster, See Tickets, Gigantic, Skiddle, and Ticketline.

Organisers have also expressed their gratitude to supporters.

The statement concluded: "Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and enjoyed our events over the past 10 years.

"Whilst this is devastating news, we hope that in time you're able to look back with fond memories to those happier days; we've had so many awesome and magical moments over the years and hope they remain in your hearts forever."