Scotland-The Royal Highland Show.
SCOTLAND-THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), now in its 225th year, yesterday reported a record turnover of £6.18 million in the year to 30 November, 2008 – up by 9 per cent on the previous year’s £5.65 million.
The operating surplus, however, fell to £628,822, from £800,826 in 2007, entirely as a result of writing off £561,791 in costs associated with investigating relocation of the Royal Highland Show across the A8 to Norton Park fromt Ingliston, which was acquired in 1958 for less than £60,000.
The RHASS has been in limbo for more than three years following plans by BAA, which owns Edinburgh Airport, to expand its operations and swallow up most of the Ingliston site. The BAA proposals have been put on hold and it seems likely the Royal Highland Show will remain on its current location for at least the next 20 years.
But Ray Jones, chief executive of the RHASS, confirmed discussions were taking place with the five individual owners of the 300 acres at Norton Park with a view to purchasing the land.
Jones said: "We were disappointed in September when BAA announced it could not fund the £300 million it would cost for us to relocate. We have learned a lot from the process, but we need to look to the future. As for when we might be able purchase the land at Norton Park, we hope it will be in the foreseeable future."
The cost of acquiring Norton Park would be considerable, but the RHASS is in a strong financial position, having no overdraft and only a term loan on the cost of the Highland Hall, which is one of the largest exhibition centres of its kind in Scotland.
Late last week it was revealed that this year’s Royal Show, which is staged at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, will be the last. The Royal Agricultural Society of England said the event was no longer financially viable.
Jones said: "It is sad to lose a national event like the Royal, but we understand the reasons. The secret of our success at the Royal Highland lies in the fact that we have stuck to the basics of agricultural heritage and staging an event at which more than £100m of business is done each year.
"We believe we have the number one event of its kind in the UK – that’s why our trade stand space is almost sold out already. We are also by far the most accessible show in the UK by road, rail or air. That is a considerable selling point."
Commenting in the annual report, John Dykes, chairman of the RHASS, said: "The thrust of our work follows the ethos of the original charter and it is remarkable that we have achieved so much in a year when every sector of Scottish business and commerce felt the downdraught of the financial crisis.
"Last year, we almost matched the record attendance at Ingliston, testimony not only to the show’s popularity with the farming and general public, but also to its reputation as the focal point for the farming and food industry."
Weather permitting, it is possible that the figure of 161,000 who passed through the gates at Ingliston over four days last year might be exceeded. The Royal Highland Show is also one of the flagship events in Scotland’s Homecoming year. Following a great deal of promotional activity in North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as in England and Wales, the show hopes to attract an additional 20 per cent of visitors from outwith Scotland.
Another feature of the RHASS is its collaboration with the Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET). Jones said: "RHET is unique in the UK and it is truly remarkable that over the past year we have managed to get one in ten schoolchildren on to a Scottish farm, but we still have a long way to go to get the rest of the younger generation into the countryside."
RBS remains the major show sponsor, providing about £1m over a five-year period. That deal runs until the end of next year, but discussions are proceeding over an extension. Jones said: "We are hopeful a deal can be struck. RBS needs some friends at this time and we count ourselves as one of that number."
