Concern Over Showground’s Long Term Future
Written by HFM News on 30th October 2020
Concern is being expressed about the future of Market Harborough’s Showground.
No long-term lease has ever been secured by the Leicestershire Agricultural Society, despite terms for a ten year deal being agreed in 2015, when landowners gave it the 85-acre site to run and operate.
It was always pledged the land, which in recent weeks has been used for ‘drive-in’ events, would be for community use, as part of the Airfield Farm Development.
Council officials will now meet with landowners to discuss the situation.
Harborough District councillor Phil Knowles says it’s vital the venue is secured, because of the support visitors provide to the local economy:
A spokesperson for the landowner said: “We can confirm that we – the landowners – are currently in negotiations with the Leicestershire Agricultural Society regarding this. However, the nature of these discussions is confidential and regretfully no further information is available at this time.”
A spokesman for Harborough District Council said: “The County Showground attracts thousands of people to the Harborough district each year and will form an important part of our Covid-19 recovery in terms of tourism. We are arranging a meeting with the site owners to discuss any concerns and resolve any uncertainty.”
The main event at the Showground is the annual County Show
