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Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'You reap what you sow!' Locals at war over famous flower show in quaint town after bosses blasted for getting 'too cocky'
For over 100 years it has been known as the 'town of flowers', but economic turmoil, bomb hoaxes and royal snubs mean things are far from rosy in Shrewsbury. Last week, the organiser's of Shrewsbury Flower Show announced they were cancelling this years events meaning the town will go without its flagship event for just the fourth time since 1854. The Shropshire Horticultural Society cited 'changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage' alongside rising security costs making the event unsustainable. In 2024 alone, the festival was forced to spend over £150,000 on additional security and barriers due to disruption at the 2023 event. However, furious residents and business owners have hit back at the news, accusing festival organiser's of being 'too cocky' and even suggesting that the absence of any royals at the show last year 'killed' it. The 2020s have not been kind to the event with the 2020 iteration cancelled by Covid and the 2023 addition being derailed by a bomb hoax. Although the event made a successful return in 2024, attendees complained of intense security arrangements making parts of the town unnavigable. This year's festival would have likely required even more security due to the effect of the new Martyn's Law - a new bill that require all premises with a capacity of more than 200 to ensure they have a plan in place for an attack. The cancellation seems excusable in the current economic environment, however when MailOnline visited the town this week the atmosphere of mistrust and anger towards the festival was palpable. Many hospitality businesses in the town count the long August weekend over which the festival runs as the busiest of their year. Rooms in hotels and bed and breakfasts can often be booked up years in advance, but this year, they will be empty, costing many venues thousands in lost revenue. One such business owner is Danielle Ditella, who runs the trendy bar The Loopy Shrew as well as some local B&Bs. She told the MailOnline: 'We will be losing thousands because of it, others will lose more. We are guaranteed the B&B business during the festival and some of the rooms are actually booked up a full year in advance. 'We won't necessarily get the trade back. It will really affect the town's economy. There has been a decline in the festival over the last few years, it hadn't really kept up with the times if I'm honest. 'We're the town of flowers without a flower show. I would like to think we can replace it with something else. 'The government need to wake up and see how desperate the hospitality industry is.' These sentiments were concurred by a local landlord set to be heavily affected by the lack of trade. He said: 'It's always been popular and brings thousands of people here every summer. That's a lot of people suddenly not coming to Shrewsbury every year. We're known for it and have lost our identity overnight.' Despite what outsiders might think, local feeling towards their town's signature event is far from rosy. Although they are known as the town of flowers, many locals we spoke to expressed resentment and even jubilation towards the festival's struggles due to its perceived elitist attitude. Traditionally a favourite haunt of the royal families summer calendar, 2024's edition saw no members of the family attend - a fact that was as pleasing to some locals as it was apparently distressing for organisers. 'That killed them', one man who preferred to stay anonymous said, ' every year prices would go up and up and they'd cling to this idea that they were a 'royal event'! 'You reap what you sow in the end, local people had been priced out.' Two people who will miss the flower show are Welsh couple Gillian and Wayne Llewellyn who have been attending for over twenty years and even bought a holiday home in the town to be closer. 'One of the attractions was going to the show every year. This is the county town -you've had thoughts cost wouldn't be a problem for them', said Wayne. 'Shrewsbury will suffer for this, anywhere is a security threat', Gillian added. The security threat referred to is of course the now infamous 'bomb scare' of 2023 which saw scenes of pandemonium as thousands of elderly flower enthusiasts were forced to scramble up the steep hills of the quarry after a threat was called in. West Mercia Police said it believed the 'serious threat' was a hoax however the two-day event was all but derailed. The hoax has since come part of local legend in the town. 'Everyone around here knows who called in the bomb hoax', one man tells us, 'but nobody will tell you.' The knock on effect of the hoax however saw claustrophobic security arrangements introduced for last year's show with the entire park shuttered to the public over the weekend. But many locals still believe the security costs are too convenient an excuse for the cancellation and allege darker arts were at play. One man, who refused to give his name other than 'Dave who works in hospitality' due to his reputation in the town, alleged that the ultra wealthy had clamped down on the show disturbing their weekends. He claimed: 'It's a question of funding, the government really should have stepped in. It brings so much to town, its a massive boost for the town. It will kill it, it brings in so much money in terms of hospitality and funding. 'The bomb scare element is silly, nobody would ever bomb a flower show. The security last year was over the top but locals don't think that was the reason it is gone. 'People think that the people who live in the nice houses on the river complained about the noise and crowds from the fireworks.' Despite the anger, many residents including Val and John Winchester told us they were sad that the iconic festival had been brought to its knees but said the writing had always been on the wall. Val said: 'Personally I think there's so many RHS shows around and they burned themselves trying to compete with the the others. 'They got too cocky. It became too expensive for a family to go. They were also charging trade stands an arm and a leg to even set up a pitch so they aren't coming. 'And the ones that do had to up their prices to make ends meet, one of my friends paid £5 for a Mr Whippy in there! 'The death knell was when the royals didn't come last year', John added, 'That's when you know it had properly ran out of road. 'It will have a huge knock on effect for the town obviously, it brings in a lot of money every year.' 'The security last year was ridiculous, continued Val, 'Nobody could get through the Quarry at all for the entire thing. People had to walk around the entire town to get where they needed. 'It wasn't that bad before the bomb hoax. It might be a bit far to say that person killed the town, but they've arguably killed the festival. I mean who would bomb a flower show?' MailOnline has contacted the DCMS, Shropshire County Council and the Shropshire Horticultral Society for comment.
Spectator
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The law that is choking civil society
If one were to ask for a quintessential display of the British character it would be hard to better the Shrewsbury Flower Show. Officially the world's 'longest-running flower show', according to the Guinness World Records, it is held over two days in August, attracting 60,000 visitors. This summer should be the show's 150th birthday. Last week, however, the Shropshire Horticultural Society abruptly cancelled it. Rising costs were cited as a factor. But the main reason was the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act – known as Martyn's Law. The legislation, which was given royal assent this month, requires organisers of events with more than 200 people to engage in lengthy bureaucratic and state-monitored protocols to protect visitors from terror attacks. Unlikely though it may be that jihadists will prioritise raising the Isis flag above an array of prize lobelias, if fighting terror requires Shrewsbury to wilt, so be it. In October, The Spectator warned that the legislation would impose 'onerous and costly regulatory requirements on civil society'. Village halls and football clubs are being co-opted into the battle against terrorism, forced to complete training and time-consuming paperwork. The government's impact assessment suggested Martyn's Law would, at best, have a net cost of £1.8 billion. In a worst-case scenario, that would stretch to £4.9 billion: 583 times the £8.4 million in benefits expected. Shrewsbury Flower Show's burden is one shared by a cornucopia of public locations – 100,000 retail and hospitality venues, 33,000 places of worship, 400 zoos and theme parks, and so on – that are expected to be hit. Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Percy Thrower's daughter sad Shrewsbury flower show is ending
The community of Shrewsbury has reacted to the "shock" cancellation of one its most popular summer events, which has been running for 150 Flower Show, set up by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, began in for its notable display of flowers and fireworks, the event has brought thousands of visitors to the Quarry park each year - but organisers announced on Wednesday that they can no longer continue to run it due to rising costs. Margaret Thrower, a horticulturalist from Shrewsbury who has been involved with the flower show most of her life, said she is "heartbroken" as the show is "her family". Ms Thrower, daughter of Percy Thrower, who became famous in the 1970s and 80s for his appearances on shows such as Gardeners' World and Blue Peter, and was parks superintendent for Shrewsbury, said she is lost for words over the news."It has been my life from the day I was born almost," she told BBC Radio Shropshire."When I think of the years of history, years of hard work that have gone in to producing that show."But not only that, the joy and entertainment it has brought to so many people and what it has brought to Shrewsbury, it is sad," she said."The show is me, it is a family. It has brought a lot to the town but it is an end of an era. "I know the show was struggling but I never thought it would come to this." The show, which takes place over two days in mid-August, has been making a loss over recent years said Maelor Owen, chairman of Shropshire Horticultural cited "changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage", alongside the cost of living crisis as the reason behind the Maelor, who joined the society in 2004, said: "[For] people who have been with the society for a long time, it is safe to say people have looked at these things with their heart rather than their head."But if we continue the way we are then in the next 10 years we will be insolvent, it is no way to run any business or do anything."He said the 2024 show operated at a loss of £400,000, which led organisers to "act quickly" and make the decision. 'Part of who we are' Shrewsbury Town Council have said the news has come as a surprise as they were in discussions with organisers last week. Helen Ball, town clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "The Shrewsbury Flower Show is more than just a weekend event – it's part of who we are as a town. "We understand the increasing pressures faced by event organisers in today's climate and sincerely thank the Shropshire Horticultural Society for their many years of dedication. "We acknowledge the financial contribution the Horticultural Society made to the Quarry in 2000, which has left a lasting legacy for the town. "We've always worked closely and positively with their team, and this announcement will come as a disappointment to many."The council added that the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – Martyn's Law – has introduced new and challenging responsibilities for event organisers, but said public safety must always remain paramount. Mark Hooper, from Visit Shropshire, told BBC Radio Shropshire: "When you say Shrewsbury people say 'flowers', so to lose something like this is terrible news, it is sad more than anything."Mr Hooper said the show is one of Shropshire's top five events of the year, bringing in a "substantial" amount of business for accommodation providers and the hospitality sector."It will be a big loss this year," he added. "But Shrewsbury has got some great entrepreneurs, maybe someone else could take it on?" The 2024 show featured more than 35 floral exhibitors and 175 traders - with expensive extra security measures added following a security threat at the 2023 Thrower, who lived in the park house in the Quarry as a young child, said she understands the society, which is a registered charity, cannot continue to make a loss but added the event has not changed with the times."It has got into a bit of a rut and just hasn't managed to get out of it," she said."Together people's aspirations and wants have changed over the years but the show hasn't changed with them."Mr Owen said the society will be looking at the event's long-term future, and those who have already bought tickets for the show can request refunds via the society's office. Additional reporting by Paul Shuttleworth Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Telegraph
17-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour's tax hikes force cancellation of long-running flower show
One of the world's longest-running flower shows has been cancelled following Labour's tax raid on employers. The organisers of the Shrewsbury Flower Show blamed 'changes to National Insurance and the minimum wage' for driving up the cost of the annual event. The show, which was due to take place on August 8-9, has been happening since 1875. The chairman of Shropshire Horticultural Society, Maelor Owen, said: 'As a society, we have struggled to put on a show that was financially viable for several years. 'Over the past few years strenuous efforts have been made to reduce costs and boost attendance. 'Regrettably, the loss incurred by the society in staging the 2024 show was significantly greater than we had anticipated - by way of example, we spent over £150,000 on security and barriers. 'Recent changes to National Insurance and the minimum wage, combined with the cost-of-living crisis, mean that further extensive losses would be incurred should we proceed with the 2025 show. 'Such losses are simply no longer sustainable.' The decision comes after Rachel Reeves raised taxes by a record £40 billion at the Budget in autumn. The Chancellor has increased the rate of NI contributions paid by employers, from 13.8pc to 15pc, and also lowered the threshold at which companies become liable to pay the tax. She has also increased the minimum wage by 6.7 per cent to £12.21 per hour for those aged 21 and older. Critics claim the tax hikes are responsible for the halving of growth forecasts for this year from 2 per cent to 1 per cent.
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Shrewsbury Flower Show cancelled due to rising costs
The Shrewsbury Flower Show, which was due to take place on 8-9 August, has been cited "changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage", alongside the cost-of-living crisis as the reason behind the chairman of Shropshire Horticultural Society Maelor Owen said the team had "struggled to put on a show that was financially viable for several years".He added that the 2024 show saw organisers spend more than £150,000 on security and barriers. Employers now have to pay NI at 15% on salaries above £5,000, and minimum wage has also risen from £11.44 to £12.21 for those aged 21 and government has previously said the changes would eventually raise £25bn a year and the money would be spent on public services like the NHS. The event, which has been happening since 1875, takes place in The Quarry in Shrewsbury. The 2024 show featured more than 35 floral exhibitors and 175 traders - but the expensive extra security measures were added after a security threat at the 2023 event. Mr Owen said "strenuous efforts" had been made to "reduce costs and boost attendance"."Regrettably, the loss incurred by the society in staging the 2024 show was significantly greater than we had anticipated." Mr Owen added that the Shropshire Horticultural Society was "looking very carefully at the long-term viability of the Shrewsbury Flower Show.""All options will be considered over the coming months and we anticipate making a further announcement later in the year," he added. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
