Show plays vital role in economy

Aug 20 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

They may primarily be considered a cracking day out for town and rural folk alike, but country shows also play an important role for small businesses seeking an effective launch pad. Karen Dent looks at some of the enterprises that have benefited from exposure at Glendale Show in Northumberland.

AUGUST Bank Holiday crowds are the stuff of dreams for many entrepreneurs seeking an audience for their fledgling businesses. Glendale Show, held annually in Wooler on Bank Holiday Monday, pulls in around 15,000 visitors and has more than 200 trade stands every year.

In addition to well known names with big budgets, organisers are eager to showcase small local start-ups and give them access to a potentially lucrative customer base.

“We are a countryside event and we like to promote businesses who are from within the countryside and over the years we have seen a huge growth in cottage industry types of businesses,” says Sarah Nelson, secretary of the show’s organisers, Glendale Agricultural Society. At least half of the trade stands are made up of local businesses.

The show has a policy of approaching new and growing businesses in north Northumberland and offering them space at the show.

“The rural ones that are based from home don’t necessarily have a shop window. It can be very difficult for people to market themselves. There are a huge number of people that come to the show, a large percentage from Newcastle and holiday people,” says Sarah.

Food and craft businesses have particularly benefited from using Glendale to find a wider audience for their products. There are marquees for speciality food, crafts and a countryside marquee.

Doddington Dairy Ice Cream launched at Glendale in 2000 and is now a well known North East food brand, supplying to customers including Asda as well as creating niche products especially for clients such as The Alnwick Garden.

“We had them for their first year in the main ring,” says Sarah. “They have come every year, they have been very loyal to us. Generally, everybody who has come before, the vast majority come back.”

Food businesses, she says, particularly benefit from the opportunity to showcase their wares.

“It’s massive exposure and the chance for people to taste and see the range of products they have. They get a lot of encouragement and learn a lot from other traders and exhibitors, so it’s good for networking.”

The 116th Glendale Agricultural Show takes place Monday, August 25.