Helping Boost the Region's Economy

Around £47m is added to the region’s economy each year through the events that take place on the Great Yorkshire Showground, a study has revealed. And within that figure, some £35m directly benefits the local Harrogate economy and supports 550 full time equivalent jobs.

The in depth economic impact study was carried out in April by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society which is best known for staging the annual Great Yorkshire Show, and also as the parent of its event organising arm, which incorporates Pavilions of Harrogate and the Yorkshire Event Centre.

A number of elements were examined including the Society’s spend within the supply chain, its employees, exhibitors and visitors. The events hosted by the Yorkshire Event Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate were a key part of the survey as well as the Great Yorkshire Show itself.

Heather Parry, the Society’s Deputy Chief Executive said: “We attract around 422,000 visitors to the showground each year, to a total of 582 events which means that on average we hold 1.6 events each day of the year. With so many events attracting big visitor numbers it’s not surprising that the financial benefit to the region is significant – whether that’s in terms of hotel rooms booked, meals bought in local restaurants, or in the number of people we employ.”

“We are very much a part of the local community so it’s good to be able to quantify the amazing impact of our events in boosting the region’s economy. We were particularly pleased to see that each year Harrogate District benefits by a substantial amount - £35m,” she added.

The Society spends over £5m each year – predominantly with local businesses, to help run a wide range of events from weddings to corporate events to national exhibitions. All profits are ploughed back into the Society’s work in supporting agriculture across the north of England and beyond.

Among the list of events are: the Harrogate Spring & Autumn Flower Shows, the Model Engineering Show, antiques shows, conferences and numerous social events including weddings and balls.

Quick Facts:

• The Society contributes £47m of economic benefit, of which £35m goes into the Harrogate District economy.
• The Society directly supports 103 FTE (full time equivalent) jobs and a further 450 FTE jobs indirectly in the supply chain.

Survey carried out by Genecon in April 2013

ENDS

29 May, 2013

Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society – 01423 546215 or judyt@yas.co.uk

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY: 

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. This ranges from educational initiatives to the Society’s Nuffield Scholarships to hosting the Yorkshire Rural Support Network. The Society is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s award winning regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009.

The Society is the organiser of the annual farming and country showcase, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. Both take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and are flagship events for agriculture and rural life. Dates for the 2013 Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 July, and Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October are the dates for Countryside Live.  Tickets for the Great Yorkshire Show are now on sale see - www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk or ring 01423 541222. There are savings on tickets booked in advance.

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