Diversify Or Die: The Future For Competition Venues?

After another popular show centre is set to close, what does the future hold?

- Eleanor Jones

SHOW centres may have to diversify to survive in a difficult market, owners have warned, in the wake of another closure.

Houghton Hall, Cambs, is to close on 25 August, following in the footsteps of centres such as Patchetts, Herts, which ceased trading in 2015, and The Hand, near Bristol, which closed the previous year.

And other show organisers are concerned that more venues could follow suit.

With huge overheads and running costs, as well as entry numbers falling, times are tough, according to Kate Morris, who owns Blue Barn EC in Kent.

Ms Morris told H&H she works with Scott Ponton of SMP Events, who runs affiliated and unaffiliated shows at the venue.

“We could generate what seems a good income from holding shows here,” she said.

“But out of that, you have to pay thousands in business rates and insurance, not to mention paying staff and maintenance.

“If there’s not enough money coming in, I will have to do something else with this place.”

Ms Morris said she has had to diversify by running other businesses on site, such as a storage facility, in order for the venue to be viable as a competition centre.