Royal Welsh Show to suffer £1m loss if school terms change

The organisers of the Royal Welsh Show have lodged strong opposition to new proposals from the Welsh government, which could see the school summer holiday shortened by one week – a move that would result in more than £1m of lost revenue.

The proposed changes to the summer holiday mean that school term time would still be in session at the time of the Royal Welsh Show.

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A pinnacle in the agricultural social calendar, the show is considered to be the largest of its kind in Europe, and regularly draws crowds of more than 250,000 visitors, including many families, children and young people from across Wales. 

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has calculated that 68% of the show’s attendees are families, and has predicted that these changes would create “serious financial harm”, with a loss of income in excess of £1m from reduced gate sales, membership, and camping revenue. 

This in turn is expected to impact trade for exhibitors and catering vendors.

Date change?

RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones says a change in school dates could necessitate a change in the traditional late-July show date, though this would be “littered with complications and knock on effects”.

“Moving the show, say a week later, would impact on other major events in Wales such as the National Eisteddfod. Many of our contractors and suppliers operate at both events and this would seriously impact their availability,” he said.

“Furthermore, we must remember that the Welsh government is proposing to shorten the summer holidays in two phases. So, if the Royal Welsh Show was to change dates, where do we move to? Beginning or mid-August? Do we move once or move twice?”

Any change of dates would have consequences on livestock exhibitors, traders, judges, stewards and sponsors, as well as other shows across the country.

Taking action

The Welsh government is currently seeking responses to the consultation on the reform of the school year.

While RWAS remains in conversation with Welsh education minister, Jeremy Miles, it is encouraging all members, volunteers, stakeholders and supporters to respond to the consultation and lodge their objection before the 12 February deadline.