Not enough support from the punters for anything except top-line artists.
Ray has always deliberately run the club with three aims:

1. to encourage local singers and musicians (floor spots, singers nights)
2. to offer gig opportunities to new performers who aren't necessarily famous (I'm personally grateful to him for this!)
3. to put on occasional concerts by really well known top line artists.

He could put on Vin Garbutt, sell out and make a profit, but he really didn't want to run a club only for punters who came to see superstars. There was just not enough support for the other (1 & 2) types of evenings.

I've read suggestions that the population of Harrogate is apathetic. I don't know if it's that, or whether Ray has missed out on some promotional angle or way of changing the club that would build up a bigger core of regulars. I do know (don't we all) that running a club anywhere presents similar problems.

Anahata