It should have been Alan Adams’ dream job. The former civil servant, who worked for the Home Office, had volunteered at Southport Flower Show for 15 years before finally taking up the top post as its general manager in February. Just a few weeks later the country was put into lockdown, taking with it all chances of the event he’d longed to lead going ahead.
‘When I first started, I had ambitions of taking Southport Flower Show through to its 100th anniversary,’ says Alan, who has lived in Southport for 40 years. ‘I was chomping at the bit and absolutely on cloud nine. Then Coronavirus hit us. We had traders pulling out, a huge slow down in ticket sales and everything was so uncertain.
‘Taking the decision to cancel was the right thing to do but after so much hard work – each show takes 15 to 18 months to organise – it was disappointing. The show is a part of the history of the town, it’s in its very makeup, as well as being something that generates a lot towards the local economy.’
In fact, the four-day event contributes £4.5 million to Southport’s economy – a huge £2.5 million of that coming directly from money spent at the show. But, undeterred, Alan and his team’s focus has turned to 2021 and building an event that will help strengthen and continue to rebuild the town following the impact of Covid-19. As we went to press, the new dates for Southport Flower Show were due to be announced as August 19th-22nd 2021. With a theme of Life in Bloom, the event will echo this year’s plans with a focus on health, wellbeing and mental health.
Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Lancashire Life.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Lancashire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A Shopper's Paradise
‘Anything is possible’ is the boast of a famous Knightsbridge shop and it could equally apply to Clitheroe, where shoppers come eager to pick up something just that little bit different, especially in the run-up to Christmas
Back from the brink?
There are signs hedgehog numbers might be recovering, and we can all do our bit to help them, says Alan Wright of Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Memories of a LANCASHIRE CHILDHOOD
Blackburn-born Sara Foster has had a string of bestsellers on the other side of the world. With her latest novel now out, she reflects on her Lancashire roots
The tale of BEATRIX'S VALLEY
Land once owned by Beatrix Potter is at the heart of a noisy row over how we enjoy the Lake District
Liverpool's pyramid scheme
We’ve seen the shape of things to come – and it’s a pyramid. But are you ready to spend the afterlife piled high with 34,591 other people in Toxteth?
Around the world in 2000 paintings
Preston artist Martyn Hanks has spent 60 years globetrotting with his paints and brushes
WALKING THE BORDER
This glorious walk in the hills around Earby takes a peek over the county line
We will remember them
For a hundred years the Cenotaph has been the focal point for a nation’s grief, but few know its connection to Kirkby Lonsdale
A pawfect day out
The grounds of Holker Hall at Cartmel are a favourite with human and canine visitors
A LEGACY of LOVE
An unusual war memorial in Lancaster is a haven for wildlife and young people from the city