Flower show cancelled due to rising costs

The Shrewsbury Flower Show, which was due to take place on 8-9 August, has been cancelled.

Organisers cited "changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage", alongside the cost-of-living crisis as the reason behind the decision.

The chairman of Shropshire Horticultural Society Maelor Owen said the team had "struggled to put on a show that was financially viable for several years".

He added that the 2024 show saw organisers spend more than £150,000 on security and barriers.

Employers now have to pay NI at 15% on salaries above £5,000, and minimum wage has also risen from £11.44 to £12.21 for those aged 21 and older.

The government has previously said the changes would eventually raise £25bn a year and the money would be spent on public services like the NHS.

The event, which has been happening since 1875, takes place in The Quarry in Shrewsbury.

The 2024 show featured more than 35 floral exhibitors and 175 traders - but the expensive extra security measures were added after a security threat at the 2023 event.

Mr Owen said "strenuous efforts" had been made to "reduce costs and boost attendance".

"Regrettably, the loss incurred by the society in staging the 2024 show was significantly greater than we had anticipated."

Mr Owen added that the Shropshire Horticultural Society was "looking very carefully at the long-term viability of the Shrewsbury Flower Show."

"All options will be considered over the coming months and we anticipate making a further announcement later in the year," he added.

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