The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Chelsea Flower Show can bloom next year with return of visitors
The organisers of the Chelsea Flower Show have announced plans to bring back the horticultural e vent ne xt year with measures to protect visitors from coronavirus.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) was forced to take the world-famous flower show online in 2020 as the pandemic prevented the physical event at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea from going ahead in May.
Now the charity has announced plans for a longer show in 2021, running for six days for the first time in its 108year history, from Tuesday May 18 to Sunday May 23.
There will also be fewer visitors – 140,000 across six days compared with 168,500 over five days in 2019 .
Other Covid-safe measures will include socially-distanced queuing, crowd modelling and space changes to spread popular areas, and requirements to wear masks in indoor areas such as the Great Pavilion.
There are also plans for cashless transactions where possible, a flexible ticket exchange for those with symptoms, enhanced cleaning, and a reduction in closed seated restaurants.
The RHS said it has consulted on the plans and believes it can operate the mostly outdoor event safely for everyone.
Despite the changes, organisers have said the show will still resemble the event from previous years.
Sue Biggs, RHS directorgeneral said the charity would be ready to react to any government advice next May, and would offer refunds on tickets if the show cannot go ahead.