I don't know, which is why I asked. But I notice you say "he knew he couldn't deliver on," which suggests you know?
My guess is that either Brough Park put a stop to a stage being set up on the dog track, or the Council stopped it (I know they they blocked the mini fair he wanted to put in the car park). As far as cost is concerned, it was going to be a band made up of his mates and others, so would not have cost anything.
Anyway this is a Workington thread, so, apologies to all.