"perhaps the countess is involved in working for one of the theatres or arts centres? and thinks that audiences will turn to that type of venue if folk clubs do not exist?"

Do you really think people who are profesional arts managers can be arsed to try and run folk clubs out of town so they can get their hands on 30 or 40 punters who turn up once a month? Personally, I've got a 500 seat venue to fill - I'm not in competition with the folk clubs. Not to mention that many folk club attenders attend plenty of venue concerts as well. It's not some sort of political choice.