The Economic Impact of the Great Yorkshire Showground

Running events is in our DNA and goes right back to 1837 when the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) was formed.

Its first objective was to run a major agricultural event and the first ever Great Yorkshire Show was held in 1838 at Barrack Yard at Fulford, York.

Initially, the show was held all over Yorkshire from Huddersfield in the west, to Northallerton in the north and Kingston upon Hull in the east along with various other locations in between.

The last touring show was held in Malton in 1950 when YAS bought the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate after it was decided that it needed a permanent home.

Since then the Showground has grown beyond all expectations, with the show now being one of the biggest agricultural events in the UK, attracting 140,000 visitors over four days.

It is now home to two award winning venues Pavilions of Harrogate and the Yorkshire Event Centre, an award-winning farm shop and café, Fodder, and a fantastic caravan site; Harrogate Caravan Park. And all profits from this family of businesses go to YAS, allowing it to support the farming community from farmer health checks to running free countryside days for children.

We manage a number of national membership associations onsite too – including the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, National Farm Attractions Network and the Farm Retail Association.

In 2019, the economic impact of activities at The Great Yorkshire Showground on the local economy amounted to over £73 million.

• 688 full-time equivalent jobs
• 544,008 total visitors and exhibitors
  • 194,660 staying visitors and exhibitors
  • 349,348-day visitors and exhibitors,

The team is proud of the tremendous impact the Showground has on the local economy as well as its commitment to sustainability while raising funds for the great work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

We really do have to offer something for everyone. If you’d like further information on our family, give us a call on 01423 544 544 and we’ll be happy to help.