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Small firms hit hard

The cancellation of the CLA's showpiece Game Fair accounted for around two-thirds of the £15million lost by the rural economy

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By Will Finch

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Game Fair cancellation hits rural businesses

The rural economy has lost at least £150million after a string of countryside events were cancelled recently due to the wet weather. That figure comes from the Country Land & Business Association (CLA), which had to abandon preparations for its own showpiece event, The CLA Game Fair, last week because of waterlogged ground.

CLA president Harry Cotterell said that all those involved in cancelled events would be affected, including organisers, exhibitors, traders and visitors. He said: “Not only is it heartbreaking when decisions are taken to cancel an event, but the direct and indirect economic impacts can be devastating for all concerned.

“The knock-on effects could mean small family firms going out of business at a time when trading conditions are fragile and the UK economy is in a double-dip recession.”

The Game Fair accounted for around two-thirds of the total figure — the CLA expected £82million to be spent on site over the event’s three days, plus £34million in the local economy by 140,000 expected visitors.

The rest of this article appears in the 25th July issue of Shooting Times.

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The rest of this article appears in the 4th July issue of Shooting Times.

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