By unlocking the export potential China offers the pig industry, not to mention the red meat sector as a whole, we could gain entry into a marketplace which comprises a fifth of the world’s population.Leicestershire becomes the latest show to close
LEICESTERSHIRE County Show has been forced to cancel its 2010 event, adding to a growing list of agricultural shows that are struggling to survive.
The Leicestershire Show, which takes place in early May at Melton Mowbray Airfield, is traditionally one of the first shows of the season.
This time last year the show organisers defied the recession and boasted: “The Leicestershire Agricultural Society is continuing to go from strength to strength.”
However, this year reality has struck and the announcement on the show website today (Friday, February 19) has an altogether different tone.
“It is with great sadness that the board of directors have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2010 County Show. This decision was not taken lightly and after considerable deliberation the board were presented with no alternative.”
The organisers blamed ‘unforeseen circumstances’ for the closure this year but urged the public to ‘support the show’ in the future. It is understood a new venue will be found for the Leicestershire show in 2011.
The Leicestershire County Show is the latest in a growing number of struggling shows.
In 2009 England’s flagship agricultural event – the Royal Show closed down after making huge loses.
Last year the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, which dates back to 1767 and claims to be the oldest agricultural show in the country, was also forced to close.
The West Midlands Show, first held in 1875 in the Quarry in Shrewsbury, is also teetering on the edge of survival after it announced debts of £260,000 last year.
Paul Hooper, secretary of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations, admitted some shows were suffering from the economic downturn but added there was reason to be upbeat.
“It is unfortunate that Leicester has had to postpone its event but it is consolidating and moving its site for next year which is a positive move,” he said.
Overall, he said the show season was looking strong for 2010.
“More than 6 million people will attend shows up and down the country this year and we have a real reason to be optimistic.”
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Readers' comments (2)
tom dunne | 24 April 2010 1:43 pm
What a shame we went last year and had a brillant day out
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sara Ingram | 27 May 2010 12:00 pm
I paid £352 as an exhibitor for a pitch for my stall at this show. The organisers cancelled and despite their Terms and conditions stating that if they cancel they shall refund all monies within 7 days - they have failed to do so and so are in breach of the contract. Despite my telephone messages and emails they have not responded at all nor have i seen the return of my monies - which incidently they cashed the cheque around Feb and then cancelled in March. This is disgraceful behaviour and we exhibitors are feeling the bite of the resession too. I am a small self employed person and cannot afford to loose the £352 at all - Now they are not even answering the telephone - SHAME ON YOU - what you are doing by not returning my money amounts to stealing in my book.
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