Show needed to get back to original roots
Councillors insist horticulture society lost plot
on as the society used it every year to prop up gaping finance holes.
Even at the end of last year’s show the society they posted a Facebook message remarking on its success and saying: “We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for the 57th.”
Councillor Galbraith added: “The truth is Ayr Flower Show was running on empty for years.
“And if you examine it, every second stall was a charity. It was too commercial and should have gone back to what it was... a smaller and more competitive show about flowers, veg and crafts.
“The patrons were also coming away like snow off a dyke yet every idea for change was rebuffed.”
The show was latterly charging £ 30 a couple to get in – and no discount for the end of show afternoon.
Councillor Bill Grant said he applauded the 300 volunteers and directors who: “helped keep the show on the road for the last 16 years.”
But he said: “In each and every one of those years the council has given acts in kind such as free use of Rozelle and re- instatement of it.
“That is the equivalent of £ 9000 every year.
“And in 2013, 14 and 15 we supported them with a £ 20,000 a year cushion which they drew upon.
“That was an arrangement to give them a breathing space to look at changing the model.
“They were to look at relocating to the racecourse and to find a sponsor.
“Despite also getting £ 50,000 from Ayr Common Good Fund and several large bequests, I would imagine it never turned a profit for the past 10 years.
“At some point it had upwards of more than 4000 patrons but I think that can latterly be numbered in the hundreds so something was going wrong.
“I credit the Trustees for sustaining it for so long, but I am disappointed they didn’t move with the times and change. There was a complete failure to change.”
Business bosses this week labelled the show’s demise as a “great shame” for Ayrshire.
Chamber of Commerce chief, Val Russell, said: “The event is attended by thousands from across the country and this makes the news even more disappointing given that many of the exhibitors and visitors who may have booked accommodation in the area now won’t.
“We do understand that during these financially less stable times that unpopular decisions have to be taken.
“However, we do hope a solution can be reached between the organisers and other potential funders/ partners to ensure it does have a future.”
Council Leader Bi l l McIntosh said the axing of the show was an issue for the organisers, not the council.
He said: “Only the board of Ayrshire Horticultural Society can comment on why the Ayr Flower Show has been cancelled.
“I can confirm that the council worked closely with them for many years and did what we could to support them to try to turn around the financial position of the event as well as provide funding to underwrite it.
“Clearly a change in the financial outlook for the show wasn’t achieved and I would not want to speculate on what factors may have contributed to that.”
MSP John Scott has pledged to help find a way forward and give assistance to any new group of organisers.
He said: “A way must be found to keep Ayr Flower Show going.
“We cannot afford to lose this iconic event, so important not just to the the people of Ayrshire, but to our hospitality industry as well.
“My offer of help is on the table and I would welcome new people coming in and relaunching under a different guise.”