3 minute read
business matters
Show time again brings smiles at Ardingly
We’re standing, Charlie Burgoyne and I, in the middle of the magnificent 150-acre Ardingly Event Centre showground. Charlie is Chairman of the South of England Agricultural Society, whose home this is, and where the South of England Show, that landmark event in the local countryside calendar, takes place.
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Jerry Gosney
Director South of England Event Centre
Charlie turns and smiles. “What a truly remarkable facility this is,” he says. “How good it looks.” He’s right. The grass across the level show ground is tightly mown. Hardstanding roads crisscross the site, giving access to all corners. A variety of covered buildings, some open betraying agricultural roots, some stylish and modern, cater for a variety of exhibitor needs.
Over to our left are the grass equine rings and classic all-weather arena, overlooked by the elegant glass and steel Norfolk Pavilion. You can almost hear echoes of applause as a winning clear round is cheered home. Here have been housed many a business conference, company away-day, indoor exhibition; even family parties, wedding receptions galore.
Ringing the site are tall oaks and beeches. In the distance, we catch glimpses of the South Downs. This is pure beautiful Sussex at its summer best.
But it’s not all this that’s lifted Charlie’s spirits. Rather it’s the sight of action taking place all about us. For after miserable weeks and months of lockdown, it’s show time again at Ardingly.
Outside stalls for the two-day International Antiques and Collectors Fair, one of the centre’s oldest and most loyal exhibitors, are being set-up, all in accordance with Covid guidelines, while later this month nightly drive-in movies return.
“ Like everyone in the events business, we’ve had a tough time,” says Charlie. “We had no option other than cancel this year’s summer show, and that really hurt. And we’ve had to furlough key members of staff.”
“But now we’re here, we’re open and we’re ready to help.” I ask him what he means by that.
“Look,” he says, “we’re getting a really encouraging level of booking enquiries from organisers planning to respond to pent-up demand for concerts, markets, agricultural and equestrian events – even family gatherings.”
“Thing is we know a lot of potential hirers have been hit hard and are under considerable strain,” continues Charlie. “We’re ready to be as flexible as we can on space we provide and the rate we charge on new bookings.
“We’re all in this together. We want to play our part in getting the sector back on its feet.”
Charlie and I discuss what makes the South of England Event Centre such a good choice. For starters, we agree, it’s easy to get to, just 36 miles from London and 20 miles from Brighton, served by the M25 and M23. Gatwick is close, too. Then there’s onsite parking for up to 6,000 vehicles.
Outdoor space is hard to beat for equine events, dog-shows, street markets. And
to be in the central arena for a concert on a long, starlit summer evening is memory making special. And if it’s somewhere out of town for the top-level business conference or trade exhibition, then the Norfolk Pavilion stands comparison with the best; its smaller, discreet rooms with spectacular Sussex views bringing an added touch to the wedding, the party night, the association annual dinner.
“Dinner’” says Charlie, suddenly, “don’t forget our excellent onsite catering provided by Hardings.
“And we haven’t talked about staff, I remind him.”
“Good point,” he answers. “Its great to be bringing back off furlough team members who give this place top scores for customer service.”
So what of the future then?
“Well, all of us in this industry face some tough challenges ahead,” he replies, “but demand is coming back. If we work together, help each other, then this dreadful past few months may soon be just a bad memory.”
