The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Event shows Perth retailers the money
CROWDS: Huge numbers bring multi-million-pound boost
City retailers enjoyed a multi-million-pound boost as fantastic weather helped to attract huge crowds to Perth Show. Show chairman John Ritchie hailed it a “great” occasion, adding: “We don’t know the official numbers yet, but the gates are definitely up on past years.” Show secretary Neil Forbes said hotels and restaurants were thriving thanks to the event. “Some of the restaurants we spoke to said it was the busiest night of the year, so it has to be a benefit to the city,” he added. The show, which also incorporated the Perthshire On A Plate food event, was being held for the 156th time. Staged at the South Inch, the show is the only event of its kind to be held within the confines of a city centre.
The 156th Perth Show has provided a huge multi-million-pound boost to the city. The two-day event welcomed thousands of visitors to Perth city centre for the biggest annual agricultural show in Scotland. Spectators basked in glorious Perth sunshine for a weekend of family fun at South Inch. Guests from across the country travelled to the park for the only show of its kind in the heart of a Scottish city. Chairman of this year’s show, John Ritchie, said the financial boost it brings to Perth is huge for the city, with audience numbers up from previous years. He said: “It’s a great social occasion. “It’s the 156th year we have been going, so it’s a big tradition in the city and it’s always a focal point for the end of summer for people to meet up with friends. We don’t know the official numbers yet, but the gates are definitely up on past years. “We have done economic impact studies through the council and Perth Show is the second busiest night in the town for footfall into the restaurants after the Christmas lights switch-on. “It brings money into Perth with about 90 different trade stands, who get the opportunity to show their business and get their face out there. “It helps the local community and also keeps money in Perth.” Secretary of the event, Neil Forbes, also said how important the show is to the city. He said: “It’s obvious from what we can see that farmers come into the town and do a bit of shopping and the hotels and restaurants are thriving from it. “Everyone is getting something out of it. “Some of the restaurants we spoke to said it was the busiest night of the year, so it has to be a benefit to the city.” The event included show jumping action, a grand parade of livestock and visitors were also given the opportunity to taste some of the best local produce, as the Perthshire on a Plate promoted the finest foods. After heavy rainfall at last year’s show, the event moved from Lesser South Inch to the main South Inch. Now, show chiefs are hoping it can continue at the same venue. Mr Ritchie added: “We spoke to people over the weekend and they are very positive about being on South Inch. There is a little bit more space around the show grounds. “There is always things we need to tweak for next year but if we could stay on this side of the Inch it would be good.”