THE SHOW MUST GO ON – The Game Fair secures new dates to beat CV-19

UPDATE: SADLY THE GAME FAIR CANNOT GO AHEAD IN 2020 BUT WILL RETURN TO RAGLEY HALL FROM 23-25TH JULY 2021.

In light of the rapidly evolving Covid-19 outbreak, organisers of The Game Fair have announced that the festival of the great British countryside will now take place on Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2020 at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire.

The annual outdoor event is now into its 62^nd year and will showcase popular country pursuits such as gundog handling, clay shooting, archery, fishing, falconry and ferreting.

The Game Fair’s managing director, James Gower, commented: “We continue to be positive and focussed on planning an amazing celebration of the countryside. We will use this extra time to develop the traditional game fair activities, but also to support the countryside community.”

Campsite bookings and ticket sales are up year-on-year with people now planning mini-breaks in the UK. “After many months of social distancing, it is our hope that The Game Fair will offer a vital life-line for businesses and a longed-for celebration of the countryside for like-minded people, marking the end of a very challenging time,” he commented.

There will also be additional areas to The Game Fair to accommodate as many new exhibitors as possible that have been displaced from cancelled events such as The Royal Welsh, Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire show.  “We will offer exhibition spaces to as many displaced companies as we can. We know many business rely solely on the show circuit for their revenues and we will do all that we can to help” added James.

Speaking from his home at Ragley Hall, Lord Hertford commented: “The house and grounds at Ragley have had a varied and resilient past. Ragley served as a hospital in the last World War and went through a rigorous restoration period in the 1950s when my father brought Ragley back from a point of terrible repair to the estate you see today. Ragley is used to challenges which is why we are ready to support The Game Fair in its choice to move to new dates in September. My family and I are looking forward to the event. It will be a much-needed lifeline to businesses and the local economy.”

BASC CEO, Ian Bell stated “BASC fully supports the difficult decision that has been taken by The Game Fair’s officials under challenging circumstances. We are confident the event in September will provide a much-needed life-line for rural businesses and something to look forward to for the many thousands of visitors that will be expected to attend.

“As a key partner, BASC will be at Ragley Hall in full force and we look forward to catching up with our members, who will still receive complimentary admission on each day of the event.”

The Game Fair is famous for its innovation over recent years with many new feature areas created, the introduction of celebrity chef James Martin, new and ambitious show gardens and stabilising, important sponsorships from national and international sponsors including Qatar and Charles Stanley Wealth Managers.

Organisers also reassured visitors, exhibitors and sponsors that they can continue to book with confidence. Tickets already purchased will be valid for the new dates, and in the unlikely event of a complete cancellation, they will receive a full refund. Further updates will follow, alongside details of how The Game Fair plans to support exhibitors and stakeholders over the coming months.