Royal Cornwall Show Cancellation Costs Traders £10,000 to £15,000 Each
Traders at the Royal Cornwall Show faced substantial financial setbacks after the event's final day was cancelled. The Met Office's yellow weather warning, indicating winds of up to 50mph, prompted organisers to close the show, citing safety concerns.
Kate Martin of Treway Farm stated losses between £10,000 and £15,000. Martin had intended to sell meat, burgers, and bacon rolls, but the cancellation meant her business failed to break even after two days of trading. “We’re now into the realms of damage limitation,” she commented, outlining plans to sell remaining stock through other avenues.
Bernie Williams from Cornish Cracking Eggs reported losses of approximately £4,000 to £5,000. Williams distributed around £2,500 worth of produce to other traders and exhibitors to prevent waste, confirming that her business had not covered its costs.
Sally Lugg of Primrose Herd Butchery also estimated a loss of “at least £10,000.” She described feeling “shocked at the decision” and focused on damage mitigation efforts.
In contrast, Lucy Sheers, who operates Lucy Bakes, found an unexpected boost for her business. After offering her produce at a 50% discount from her Hayle shop, a queue extending 25 metres formed, lasting three hours until all items sold out. Sheers noted, “Although the show was cancelled, I think in the long run this could be very good and help the growth of my small business.”
Show secretary Mark Stoddart attributed the cancellation to “substantial” damage caused by overnight winds, asserting that the site was “not a safe environment for people.”
