Andy Young is a director of PSS Ltd and South Coast Events Ltd, the firms behind the show.

However, he previously worked for Angel Events and Exhibitions Ltd, which organised two ideal home shows earlier this year. Both of the shows were cancelled at short notice.

The firm has also had a booking dropped for another show planned for September.

Venue operators say they dealt with Mr Young when booking Angel Events.

In April the firm cancelled an interior design show at Oaklands Park in Chichester one week before it was due to take place.

Artist Richard Sibley and his wife Julie Nye, from the Isle of Wight, paid £698 for two pitches – and say they have never had a refund.

Another show, due to be held at stately home Firle Place in Sussex, was cancelled by Angel Events in May.

House manager Peter Woolgar said: 'They didn't even tell us – they just didn't show up.

'We would never use them again.'

Managers at Stansted House also booked Angel Events for a show this September, but cancelled after concerns over the organisation of a show held last year.

Manager James Cooper said: 'I can confirm we will not be using Andy Young again because of similar concerns to Portsmouth City Council over the running of the show.'

Traders fear they will be left out of pocket after Portsmouth City Council pulled the plug on the show amid health and safety concerns.

The council says it carried out full legal checks on Andy Young and Angel Events and found no county court judgements.

Trading standards officers at Portsmouth City Council are looking into two complaints about Mr Young from nearby local authorities, although officers say he has not broken any laws.

Mr Young e-mailed a statement blaming the council for cancellation.

He later told The News that he was employed by Angel Events as events manager, and was not involved in the finances of the company.

He left the company and set up his own businesses.

He said the events at Firle Place and Oaklands Park had been cancelled because the credit crunch meant they were not financially viable.

He added that future events were nothing to do with him as he no longer works for Angel Events.

The registered offices of Angel Events in Elm Grove, Southsea, have closed and the phone number rings out.

Mr Young added he was due to talk with his insurance company today to see whether his insurance policy would cover refunds to those affected by the cancellation of Portsmouth Summer Show.

'At the moment it is unknown so I am not going to say yay or nay', he said.

Mr Young said anyone with queries could contact him via e-mail at info@portsmouthshow.co.uk