10 April 2008
NWDA to invest £750,000 in RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to
announce an investment of £750,000 in the RHS Flower Show at Tatton
Park, which will give a further boost to what is already the
Northwest’s biggest horticultural event.
The funding, which will run over the next three years, will be
used to increase promotional activity around the show, enabling it
to reach a wider audience and further benefit the region’s visitor
economy. The funding will be used to introduce new show content for
Tatton, making improvements to infrastructure and also promoting
the prestigious event, which this year celebrates its 10th
anniversary.
The investment is timed to make the most of Cheshire’s Year of
Gardens 08, a year-long celebration of the county’s horticultural
heritage that links with Liverpool’s year as European Capital of
Culture. It will help the show to develop a display to celebrate
Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 and also four back-to-back gardens
to highlight Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction.
The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park is the region’s biggest
horticultural event and is one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s
major flower shows. It takes place this year between 23 and 27
July.
James Berresford, Director of Tourism at the NWDA,
said:
“This investment in the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park will
enable it to step-up its promotional activity. The show has the
potential to attract even more visitors and the proposed
developments will help us to enhance the appeal of the region as a
visitor destination.
“The investment will also ensure that Cheshire’s Year of Gardens
and the RHS are ideally positioned to capitalise on a unique
opportunity to profile the county and its fantastic gardens.”
Chris Brown, Chief Executive for Visit Chester and Cheshire,
said:
“We are delighted to see this timely investment in the RHS
Flower Show at Tatton Park, one of the key events for Cheshire’s
Year of Gardens, and an enduring asset in our gardening
calendar.”
Brendan Flanagan, General Manager at Tatton Park, said:
“Both Tatton Park and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park are
significant contributors to the region's visitor economy. This is
welcome support, helping to strengthen the show’s contribution to
the region, extending its reach and ensuring that it continues to
develop and grow to the benefit of Cheshire and the Northwest.”
Stephen Bennett, Director of RHS Shows said:
“Staging a flower show on this scale and one of national
standing to the Northwest is a substantial undertaking for us as a
charity. This funding recognises the value of having a
world-class horticultural event in the region, and reflects the
strong ties forged with the NWDA and Visit Chester and
Cheshire.”
ENDS
Editor’s Notes
For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism
Press Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or Helen.Batte@nwda.co.uk.
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life