Organisers cancel popular Lancashire summer event, and ask ticket-buyers to help secure show's future

One of the most popular events in Lancashire’s summer calendar has had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Southport Flower Show, which was due to be held from August 20-23, is the latest event to fall foul of the Government restrictions on large public gatherings.

And in an attempt to help the show survive, organisers are hoping people who have already bought tickets will not ask for a refund, but keep them the event in 2021.

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Chairman of the show board Max Steinberg CBE said: “We have closely monitored the situation over the past few weeks and it has become clear that we now have no other option but to cancel the show this year. The first consideration must be the health and wellbeing of everyone involved in the show, staff, volunteers, visitors, exhibitors and traders.

Southport Flower Show has been cancelled due to restrictions on large public gatheringsSouthport Flower Show has been cancelled due to restrictions on large public gatherings
Southport Flower Show has been cancelled due to restrictions on large public gatherings

“The show has become a much-loved fixture in the horticultural calendar and in the region’s summer events and the decision to cancel has been taken with a heavy heart. The safety of all of those who support the show is of paramount importance to us and we believe this to be the only course of action as we work through this pandemic.”

This will be the first time since the Second World War that there has not been a show in Southport and organisers say it has come as a huge disappointment.

It is expected that the cancellation will cause severe financial implications for the show, its partners, suppliers and traders. Any profit from the show is reinvested into future shows and Victoria Park, the 34-acre site which has housed the show since it began.

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Organisers are asking people who have already bought tickets to support the show by not requesting a refund or by rolling over their tickets to next year’s show, scheduled to take place from August 19-22, 2021. Details can be found at www.southportflowershow.co.uk

Alan Adams, general manager of the Southport Flower Show said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters and visitors for their continued support and to wish them and their families well during this unprecedented and difficult time. We now look forward to putting on a very successful Southport Flower Show in 2021.”