Southport Flower Show will welcome around 50,000 visitors over the next few days to what is the UK’s largest independent flower show, boosting the local economy by an estimated £5m. Tony McDonough reports
Gates open at 10am on Thursday (August 20) for the annual Southport Flower Show with 50,000 visitors expected over the four-day event.
Running from Thursday to Sunday, the show sees the town’s 34-acre Victoria Park transformed into a horticultural haven bursting with colour, celebrities, live entertainment, a children’s trail, food and drink, and shopping.
Southport Flower Show is the UK’s largest independent flower show and is one of the biggest single events in Liverpool city region’s annual visitor economy calendar. This week LBN revealed the visitor economy is now worth almost £7bn a year.
Show times are 10am to 6pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Victoria Park has wide walkways and a level surface, providing access to all parts of the show. A large part of the show is undercover, designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather.
Seating is located across the showground, with food and drink available. Well behaved dogs on leads are allowed. Southport Flower Show is a registered charity. Any profit generated is reinvested into Victoria Park to pay for its maintenance all year round.
Alan Adams, general manager of Southport Flower Show, said: “We cannot wait to throw open the gates and welcome everyone to this year’s show.
“We strive to improve and build on the success of every year, and we’re incredibly excited and very proud of what we have in store for our thousands of visitors across four days.
“Spectacular show gardens, huge floral displays, cookery displays, celebrity guests, impressive programme of live entertainment, extensive free children’s trail, food and drink, and hundreds of retail stands – the show really does cater for everyone.”
Celebrity horticultural guests include Adam Frost, Joe Swift and Arit Anderson from BBC Gardeners’ World, Lee Burkhill from Garden Ninja and BBC Garden Rescue, BBC Springwatch’s Iolo Williams and Megan McCubbin; and gardening experts Martin and Jill Fish.
Visitors will also be entertained by Strictly’s Anton Du Beke, This Morning TV chef Phil Vickery, TV personalities Rob Rinder, Su Pollard, and Mr Motivator, and Candice Brown, winner of Great British Bake Off.
Live entertainment for youngsters includes children’s TV presenters Andy Day, Justin Fletcher, and Lee Connelly. Celebrity guests will also meet visitors at signing sessions hosted by Waterstones Pop-Up Book Festival.
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A packed programme features celebrity guest Q&A sessions in the Garden Theatre hosted by Kevin Duala from BBC Radio Merseyside and live demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre hosted by Briony May Williams from Great British Bake Off.
“This is one of the busiest weeks throughout the year in Southport and the town always works so hard to offer visitors a warm welcome and memorable experience,” added Alan.
This year’s headline sponsor is Ramsay Health Care. Travel partner Merseyrail, and show sponsor Smooth Radio. The Cookery Theatre is sponsored by Nationwide Produce and Viners.