Exhibitors fear huge losses after Great Yorkshire Show called off (From York Press)

Exhibitors fear huge losses after Great Yorkshire Show called off

11:59am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in News

EXHIBITORS fear the cancellation of the Great Yorkshire Show could leave them thousands of pounds out of pocket.

The Harrogate event was called off for the first time in 11 years yesterday because of the bad weather, with organisers saying ticket-holders will be refunded.

But exhibitors say they will lose money because of the show being cancelled, a decision described by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), which organises it, as "heartbreaking".

Drew Lambert, who is among those who were due to have an exhibition at the show, said he could lose "just shy of about £20,000".

Sheep farmer Steve Richardson said the conditions were "dreadful" but he believed calling off the event after the first day was a "poor halfway house" and it should either have been cancelled last week or allowed to go ahead.

Show director Bill Cowling said it was the first time in 154 years that weather had forced the cancellation of the event. Advance ticket-holders will either get refunds or allowed to use their tickets next year, while entry fees for livestock exhibitors and events will also be refunded. YAS said it would also contact trade stand-holders and sponsors.