Fair game for the rural economy to benefit

Yorkshire’s rural economy will be boosted with the return of an event considered by many in the business to be the world’s largest agricultural show.
The 2003 CLA Game fair at Harewood HouseThe 2003 CLA Game fair at Harewood House
The 2003 CLA Game fair at Harewood House

Next summer will see the CLA Game Fair take place in the county for the first time since 2003 and will bring 1,000 exhibitors to Harewood House between Harrogate and Leeds.

Event organisers at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) anticipate more than 140,000 people will attend the fair over its three days, generating more than £30million for the regional and wider rural economy.

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The fair showcases the best in country sports, fashion, food and other aspects of rural life and is scheduled to take place in 2015 between Friday, July 31 and Sunday, August 2.

The 2003 CLA Game Fair at Harewood HouseThe 2003 CLA Game Fair at Harewood House
The 2003 CLA Game Fair at Harewood House

Dorothy Fairburn, the CLA’s regional director for the North, said she was delighted to bring the fair back to the county after a long absence. This year’s event is at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

“This is great news for Yorkshire’s rural economy. The CLA Game Fair is the jewel in the crown of the outdoor show calendar and is recognised nationally and internationally as the biggest countryside event of its kind.

“It is 11 years since the CLA Game Fair was last held at Harewood House and its return comes at the perfect time when we are just starting to see the green shoots of economic recovery in the region.”

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David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood, added: “We’re delighted to welcome the CLA Game Fair back to Harewood – celebrating the countryside as a living, breathing and working place.”

Next year’s event will be the sixth time the CLA Game Fair has been held at Harewood House in what will be its 58th year.

Miss Fairburn said the grounds of one of the treasure houses of England will make for the perfect setting for the fair’s return to Yorkshire.

“Harewood House is a tried and tested venue, has great access and it’s a beautiful site that has a team of people who are used to running the biggest events so it’s the ideal location.

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“The average visitor travels 114 miles to come to the show so, much like this summer with the Grand Départ passing through, Yorkshire will be very much thrust into the spotlight of a huge audience.”

The economic benefits will be felt through the spending power of visitors, with accommodation providers expected to reap the benefits of a large influx of show goers from across the country, she said.

Farm Stay UK figures show just how popular the county is proving as a destination for visitors. The not-for-profit farming co-operative directs tourists to bed and breakfast accommodation on farms in the region and last summer visitors to its website, searching for stays in Yorkshire, doubled. So far this year, that figure is up by a further 16 per cent.

Andy Woodward, Farm Stay UK’s chief executive, said the trend was likely to be because of the kind of events the region has attracted in recent years.

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“TV programme such as Countryfile are driving more people out into the countryside and events like the Game Fair have a huge impact.

“Yorkshire is well placed to deliver on the things people are looking for.”