Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

The ASAO continues to monitor the pandemic and will post updates for Show & Event Organisers here along with announcements from the industry affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

An up to date list of 2020 Shows & Events as of printing at 14:11 on 07/03/2020 is located here: 2020 SHOW & EVENTS CALENDAR

If you have questions or have a calendar adjustment please contact us via info@asao.co.uk

Useful links:

• HMRC Business Support Helpline – 0800 024 1222
• Coronavirus WhatsApp Information Service
  To use this free service, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.
• Covid 19 Business support: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
• Government updates: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Do you need someone to speak to during these difficult times? Contact:
Farming Community Network: www.fcn.org.uk or 03000 111999
R.A.B.I: www.rabi.org.uk or 0808 281 9490

13:49 | 31/03/2020

Statement from Mags Clark of Border Union: Border Union Agricultural Society 2020

13:47 | 31/03/2020

Press Release from Taunton Flower Show: Taunton Flower Show 2020 Release

17:39 | 24/03/2020

Press Release from Newport Show: Newport Show 2020 press statement

17:35 | 24/03/2020

Statement from the New Forest Show:

It is with a heavy heart that Board members of The New Forest Agricultural Show Society have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 New Forest and Hampshire County Show.

We are all devastated to have to make this announcement especially with it being the Society’s centenary year and promised to be a year full of celebration and memories. However we must do the sensible thing and put everyone’s safety and welfare first and follow Government guidelines. Hopefully by working together, as a community, we can stop this virus and come back bigger and stronger in 2021.

The Society would like to thank everyone involved in our wonderful organisation and all who contribute to making our Show the fantastic event it is – visitors, our army of volunteers, tradestand holders, members, contractors…. Along with our team of staff.  We are sure you will all be as disappointed as we are.

We are working hard to contact all stakeholders personally as quickly as we can. A full statement and further information can be found on our website https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/covid-19-update/

Thank you in advance for your support at such a difficult time for us all, we look forward to  welcoming you and your friends to next year’s New Forest & Hampshire County Show on the 27^th, 28^th 29^th July 2021.

End.

09:56 | 24/03/2020

Statement from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society: Show Cancellation Message 2020

14:09 | 23/03/2020
Press Release: Penrith Agricultural Society
It is with much regret that the Society Trustees have made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s Penrith Show which was due to take place on Saturday 18^th July.
This decision has not been taken lightly but it was felt that the financial risk in seeking alternative options with so much uncertainty enforced total cancellation.
Whilst we are devastated to be making this announcement, we wholeheartedly support the Government on this matter. We know this event is a calendar highlight for many thousands of people and that our exhibitors and traders spend many months getting ready for the show, but public health and safety has to be our number one priority for the sake of volunteers, stewards, visitors and for our wider community.

We have been communicating with our members, sponsors, traders, advertisers and contractors but we would like to thank all who support our Show & Society and extend our best wishes to everybody at this challenging time. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next show scheduled for Saturday 17^th July 2021.

For further information please contact the Secretary, Mandy Hitch on secretary@penrithshow.co.uk or call 01228 593595.

End.

14:03 | 23/03/2020

A message from the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society:

Great Yorkshire Show Cancelled.

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, we have taken the sad but sensible decision to cancel the Great Yorkshire Show this year.

As this national crisis escalates day by day, we feel we cannot safely run the Show in 2020.  We are extremely sorry to have to announce this news and appreciate that this will disappoint everyone who loves the Show as much as we do.

We will continue to passionately support our farmers in whatever way we can, as they work hard producing our food.

We would like to thank everyone for supporting the Great Yorkshire Show and our goal is to return bigger and better next year.

We hope you and your families stay safe and well through these difficult times.

Nigel Pulling
Chief Executive
Yorkshire Agricultural Society

End.

16:36 | 21/03/2020

Press Release: Badminton Horse Trails

Following the Government’s COVID-19 public health restrictions and its statement that emergency services are withdrawn from supporting mass gatherings from Tuesday 17^th March, we are sorry to announce it is no longer possible to stage Badminton Horse Trials between the 6^th and 10^th May in any capacity. This cancellation also includes the Science Supplements Cup.

This is an unprecedented and challenging time for everyone and the health and safety of all those that attend and are involved with Badminton remains our number one priority. Please be assured that Badminton Horse Trials operates a refund policy and we will be in contact shortly with more information on how these will be processed accordingly.

We apologise for the delay in making this announcement but are grateful to our insurance brokers and underwriters for their support and co-operation at this busy time. Badminton Horse Trials would like to take this opportunity to thank and wish all of the athletes (human and equine), sponsors, exhibitors, supporters and volunteers well through this challenging time. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the 2021 event.

End.

 

20:55 | 19/03/2020

Press Release: The Royal Norfolk Show 

In the light of the unprecedented public health emergency the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) has today announced that it will not go ahead with this year’s Royal Norfolk Show (1 & 2 July 2020).

“I am extremely sorry to have to announce this news and know that many people will share our disappointment” said Greg Smith, Chief Executive of the RNAA. “The Royal Norfolk Show is the county’s biggest event of the year attracting over 85,000 visitors. This is only the second time it’s been cancelled during peace-time – the first being in response to the foot and mouth crisis in 2001.”

“During this unique situation and to support Government advice, like many other major events, we have concluded that it is now impossible for us to plan safely for the show this year,”  “The welfare of our visitors, exhibitors, competitors, volunteers and staff, as well as the wider community, is our first priority so the trustees have had no option but to make this decision.”

“We would like to thank all those who support the RNAA and our Show and extend our very best wishes to everybody as we go through these most challenging times. We will continue to support agriculture in whatever way we can and now focus our efforts on creating a brighter and happier future.”

The RNAA will be in touch with ticket holders, trade stands, exhibitors and suppliers as soon as possible. In the meantime, please consult the RNAA website www.rnaa.org.uk for regular updates.

Ends.

 

20:49 | 19/03/2020

Press Release: Herfordshire County Show

It is with much regret that we can confirm the cancellation of the Hertfordshire County Show on 23rd & 24th May this year. This decision has not been taken lightly; It was felt that the financial risk in seeking alternative options with so much uncertainty around, enforced total cancellation.

Whilst we’re devastated to be making this announcement, we wholeheartedly support the Government on this matter. We know this event is a calendar highlight for many thousands of people and that our exhibitors and traders spend many months getting ready for the show, but public health and safety has to be our number one priority, for the sake of our staff, volunteer stewards, visitors and for our wider community.

We will be communicating with our exhibitors, sponsors, competitors, contractors, volunteers and visitors as soon as possible to discuss the consequences of this decision

We would like to thank all who support our Show & Society and extend our best wishes to everybody at this challenging time. Please bear with us whilst we work on arrangements going forwards.

Will Dickinson – HAS Chair

Jo Smith – HAS Show Committee Chair

Sarah Moreland – HAS Executive Director.

Ends.

 

20:20 | 18/03/2020

ASAO Update:

The Association continues to liaise with other organisations that are allied to us working in our industry.

Due to the changing advice, it is difficult to give cast iron advice about how members should deal with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) but the following may be helpful to your members.

Current Government Advice

• Where possible, everyone should avoid gatherings, crowded places, such as pubs and theatres;
• Everyone should work at home if they can;
• All ‘unnecessary’ visits to friends and relatives in care homes should cease;
• People should only use the NHS ‘where we really need to’ and reduce the burden on workers by getting advice from the NHS website where possible.
• By next weekend, those with the most serious health conditions must be ‘largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks’;
• The UK is now ‘3-weeks’ behind Italy – the worst hit country in Europe;
• If one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.   Those people should, if possible, avoid leaving the house even to buy food or essentials but may leave the house for exercise and, in that case, keep at a safe distance from others;

The Government is also operating a business helpline which is available to individual businesses on 0300 456 3565.

 
Employment Guidance

The EIF website has a range of guidances covering employment from HR specialists Ellis Whittam which you might find helpful.  These cover advice on redundancies to home working and include a sample risk assessment template.  You will find these at https://www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk/index.php/the-events-industry-forum/10-coronavirus-advice

There are also a number of useful points for guidance available from Government and other bodies, including:

• Guidance on advice to provide to staff including: how to help prevent spread of COVID-19; what to do if someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 has been in a workplace setting; advice to give to individuals who have travelled to specific areas; and advice for the certification of absence from work resulting from COVID19.  This includes advice on what to do if someone visits your restaurant/shop, or if your delivery driver has had contact with someone who is infected.
• The Association of Chartered Accountants has issued some guidance on Employment law: What’s the priority for employers?
• Information on the support available to businesses impacted by COVID-19
• ACAS has published information for employees and employers, including information on simple steps to help protect the health and safety of staff, sick pay and absence from work
• The NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ also has useful guidance

In addition, the Small Business Minister and Small Business Commissioner has called on the UK’s big businesses to speed up payments to their small business suppliers wherever they can to ease cash flow issues. You can find more information here.

Financial Support

• Grants: Any business receiving Small Business Relief will automatically get a £10,000 grant, irrespective of any other criteria. Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will get all get a £25,000 grant. The size of the grants are not variable.
• A Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme delivered by the https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/supporting-business-loans-enterprise-finance-guarantee/, will enable businesses with a turnover of no more than £41 million to apply for a loan of up to £1.2 million, with the government covering up to 80% of any losses with no fees.
• A number of private lenders are also making funds available to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including £14 billion from https://home.barclays/news/2020/03/supporting-our-customers-and-clients-impacted-by-coronavirus–co/, £2 billion from https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/Media/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/lloyds-banking-group/lloyds-banking-group-ready-to-support-uk-small-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19/and £5 billion from https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2020/03/natwest-pledges-p5bn-working-capital-support-for-smes-during-cor.html
• A full government refund on the cost of providing 14 days of statutory sick pay per employee for businesses with fewer than 250 employees.
• Temporarily increasing the business rates retail discount to 100% for the 2020-21 fiscal year. This means retail and hospitality businesses, including restaurants and takeaways, with a rateable value below £51,000 will pay no business rates in the next year. Further information and guidance
• Time to Pay – businesses can arrange to delay paying taxes by contacting HMRC – see https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc
• A dedicated HMRC helpline has also been set up to help businesses and self-employed individuals with their tax affairs – 0800 0159 559
• The Association of British Insurers Coronavirus has a Q&A site about insurance cover at https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-qa/
• Insurance:  The Treasury has agreed with insurers that any business with a policy that would have paid out if there had been a government mandated shutdown will be paid.
• UK Finance Guidance for SMEs – ‘Let’s Talk Business COVID-19’ – https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/policy-and-guidance/guidance/let%E2%80%99s-talk-business-covid-19
• The Welsh Government has also put £200 million aside to support small businesses in Wales – https://gov.wales/emergency-support-businesses-hit-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR1fHd9u8TA4FwGaDdIxNZIBbRKltEk1QBdRqi3m6l_WCO-IuN13Lh-nYPs
• Scottish Enterprise has launched a business helpline to provide businesses across Scotland with information and support on COVID-19. The business helpline number is 0300 303 0660 and will be open Monday to Friday, between 8.30am to 5.30pm.
• The £80m grant fund is part of a £320m package of measures announced to help small businesses weather the coronavirus crisis.
• 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value of less than £69,000 from 1 April 2020
• an £80 million fund to provide grants of at least £3,000 to small businesses in sectors facing the worst economic impact of COVID-19 • 1.6% rates relief for all properties across Scotland, effectively reversing the planned below inflation uplift in the poundage from 1 April 2020
• Fixed rates relief of up to £5,000 for all pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000

 

20:16 | 18/03/2020

ASAO Update:

Please see below a link below to the government guidance that was updated yesterday:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Included are some detail on the current support package being offered – as detailed at the top of the page. Business support loans are mentioned briefly a little further down and it states that further details will be announced week commencing 23 March.

The link above should take you to the most recent guidance as the Gov.UK website is updated, so this may be a useful link to share with your members also.

 

20:14 | 18/03/2020

Press Release by Heathfield & District Agricultural Show Society:

‘The Heathfield & District Agricultural Show Society Council is sad to announce that the 2020 Heathfield Show has been cancelled.

The Show Council has taken into consideration all the Government instructions relating to the virus and has come to the conclusion that there is no option other than to cancel.

The Show Secretary, Nicola Magill commented, “Everybody realises what a big decision this is, and it hasn’t been taken lightly.

“All the Government guidelines have been examined and the Show Council are in agreement that the responsibility for the health of all our visitors, exhibitors, guests, trade stand holders, volunteers, stewards and committee members has to be the main priority. Combining this with the financial health of the Society is also important. Unrecoverable expenses have already been incurred but the closer to Show day the more this figure will escalate.”

“Taking both these factors into consideration, with the necessity of preserving the Society assets for future Shows, it seems sensible to decide to cancel sooner, rather than later.”

We rely on a considerable number of local volunteer organisations to help us run the Show on show day and in return we make donations to their organisations. The cancellation of the Show will hit them hard as it means there will be no donations this year – today is a very sad day.

The date for the next Show will be 29^th May 2021.’

 

18:54 | 18/03/2020

Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) announce the following:

It is with deep regret that I as the Honorary Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) announce that this year’s Commonwealth Agriculture Conference, hosted by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) scheduled in Norfolk, United Kingdom, will not go ahead. The uncertainty linked to the Coronavirus outbreak means that the safety of people must be our priority.
Despite this disappointing news, I must recognise the tireless work that the host organisation the RNAA and the RASC have put into this conference, which has been exemplary. However, the work never stops, and work is already underway for the 30th Commonwealth Agriculture Conference, which will be hosted by The Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society in South Africa.
During this difficult time, I hope everyone stays safe and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

 

14:36 | 18/03/2020

Statement from the Suffolk Agricultural Association:

09:43 | 18/03/2020

Three Counties releases the following statement:

Shows cancellation due to COVID-19

Following the recent change in Government advice, it is with much regret that we can confirm the cancellation of the following events that were due to take place at Three Counties Showground this year.

CountryTastic – 9 April
RHS Malvern Spring Festival – 7-10 May
Three Counties Championship Dog Show – 4-7 June
Royal Three Counties Show – 12-14 June

 

22:39 | 17/03/2020

Fife Show Cancellation Press Release:

The Committee of Fife Agricultural Association has made the decision to cancel this year’s Fife Show, due to take place at Kinloss, Cupar on Saturday 23^rd May, in light of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. This decision was taken after careful consideration of the Scottish Government’s advice and recommendation that all events, at which there are likely to be more than 500 people present, should be cancelled.

2021 will see the 200^th Anniversary of the Fife Show so the Committee will now put all their efforts into making next year a very special event. The Show will take place on Saturday 22^nd May 2021.

 

22:36 | 17/03/2020

ASAO Update:

Following on from the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday re advice to ‘limit social gatherings’ and ‘pull back on support of major gatherings’

We are asking members to support questioning to government around the following areas and we would appreciate your help:

• Clarity on insurance and compensation
  • Should Local Authorities enforce this guidance by refusing licenses and landowner permission on grounds of public safety?
  • Clarity on what constitutes a mass gathering
  • How long these measures are expected to last – any modelling from other countries who are now reopening some public events
  • What compensation (if any) will be available to event companies
  • Are there any support schemes to help with retaining staff as currently many companies will need to make redundancies?
  • What financial support is being arranged for those in the events business
  • Clear direction and process for access to funds

If you can, please take the time to click on the link below and submit any / all of the questions above that you think most relevant to your business and the wider events community

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/petitionscommittee/

The above areas will also be raised directly with government through one of the National Bodies we are in regular contact with the Business Visits & Events Partnership and the Events Industry Forum Board.

The Council are addressing this constantly evolving issue and advise members on action that could support the events industry. Please keep sending us your thoughts / concerns so these can be taken into consideration as part of an industry wide response.

 

19:25 | 17/03/2020

Statement from ASAO Chair to Members:

Dear Member,

We are currently in very uncertain times, and despite no concrete instructions from the PM, we are all effectively being told to postpone or cancel our shows that are due to happen in the next twelve weeks. I know that many shows are getting together with their trustees and committees and are having to make some very difficult decisions.

I have spoken to a number of shows who have decided that they cannot afford to take the risk, financially, of preparing for their show and have decided that they want to hold their reserves to use for future more certain years, and at this time the costs that they have incurred are minimal. But likewise there are others, July onwards, deciding to continue with the show even if they get reduced numbers.

Today a number of Shows have made the decision to postpone, and this has not been a decision that they have taken lightly. I know that they have tried their best to consider all options before committing to their new dates. This includes looking at all other shows already planned for around that time so that they are being fair to everyone.

There have been a number of requests for the ASAO to help with the movement of shows however we cannot be the mediators with regards to show movements but we will provide the most up to date and accurate information of the new show timetable as it evolves. In order for us to do this, please let the ASAO have your new dates to ensure there is no double booking! We don’t want to have a situation where two shows end up jumping to the same date.

Please feel free to contact any of the ASAO board members, as some of us went through Foot and Mouth and most are going through exactly the same as you are, and a problem shared is often a problem halved, even if you just using us as a sounding board.

• Alison Baylis, Bucks County – alison@buckscountyshow.co.uk
• Mags Clark, Border Union – magsclark@buas.org
• Denis Dooley, New Forest – denis@newforestshow.co.uk
• Christine Knipe, Westmorland – manager@westmorland.org.uk
• Lucy Hegarty, Kent County – lucy.hegarty@kentshowground.co.uk
• Tim Ledbury – tim@nsas.org.uk
• Alan Lyons, Royal Bath & West – alan.lyons@bathandwest.co.uk
• Sam Mackenzie-Green, Devon County – sam@dcshow.org
• Chris Riddle, Royal Cornwall – ChristopherRiddle@royalcornwall.co.uk
• Mark Stoddart, Great Yorkshire – marks@yas.co.uk
• David Tite, Driffield Showground – david@driffieldshowground.co.uk

We will send updates out as regularly as we receive them, but only from verified sources may I suggest that you register for the gov.uk.email@notifications.service.gov.uk

Tomorrow Afternoon the Board are holding a conference call, so if any members think that we should or could be doing something different, then please let us know so we can discuss it.

Kind regards,

Mark Stoddart, ASAO Chair

 

18:47 | 17/03/2020

After careful consideration the Rutland County Show has decided to cancel their 2020 Show which was due to take place on 31st May 2020.

17:11 | 17/03/2020

The Royal Highland Show have with deep regret announced the cancellation of the 2020 Show.

The decision was taken today following a virtual meeting of the RHASS directors and is line with Government guidance surrounding the recent outbreak of Coronavirus. Please  visit Royal Highland Show on Facebook for a message from RHASS Chairman Bill Gray.

17:00 | 17/03/2020

The Devon County Show, the Royal Bath & West Show & Royal Cornwall Show have released Media Statements regarding the postponing of their Shows.

The three Shows all of which were scheduled to take place in spring, will be postponed until:

The Royal Bath & West Show – 31st July, 1st & 2nd August
Devon County Show – 28th, 29th & 30th August
The Royal Cornwall Show – 10th, 11th, & 12th September 

Media Statements:

Royal Cornwall Media Statement

 

Devon County Show Media Statement

09:00 | 17/03/2020

The 2020 Berkeley Show scheduled for 28th June has been cancelled, full statement here: https://berkeleyshow.co.uk/2020-berkeley-show-canceled/