Chatsworth flower show cancelled next year due to financial burden of virus

An annual Derbyshire flower show, which attracts tens of thousands of people, has been cancelled next year due to the financial impact of the coronavirus.
Chatsworth Flower Show will not take place in 2021.Chatsworth Flower Show will not take place in 2021.
Chatsworth Flower Show will not take place in 2021.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has, like many other organisations, suffered losses of millions of pounds due to the impact of the virus and, as a result, has taken the decision to cancel the Chatsworth Flower Show in 2021.

The RHS expects losses this year of up to £18m and the charity has had to look closely at its finances in order to safeguard its future.

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While the charity is beginning to see a slow recovery, like every organisation it is unsure what the future will look like and needs to reduce its financial liabilities for 2021.

Sue Biggs, RHS director general, said: “With record online visits to our gardening advice pages and more people using our membership advice service than ever before, the RHS is finding alternative ways to achieve its core charitable remit to help people across the whole of the UK to garden and grow plants.

“However, the virus has had a significant impact on our finances and we must protect the RHS to ensure we can survive and thrive in the future.

“Chatsworth was a wonderful show that has been a key part of our charitable remit to promote gardening, but as it attracts less visitor numbers than Tatton and Hampton and is a significant cost to put on, it is with great sadness we cannot afford to continue to run it in these times.

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“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with our partners and everyone at the shows and thank everyone and all members and visitors over the years for making it as wonderful as it was.

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“This is the hardest but most responsible decision we can make. These are difficult times for everyone.”

All other RHS shows, including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park are planned to continue in 2021.

The RHS is planning for all scenarios to open the events safely and is looking at other ways and opportunities to support the industry, growers, community groups and members who have been involved in the Chatsworth show.

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