THE Suffolk Agricultural Association faces hefty payouts to visitors and tradestand holders after the cancellation of day two of this year’s Suffolk Show.

It is understood that people with unused tickets purchased ahead of the show, and the relatively small number of visitors who arrived on the showground before the gates were closed yesterday, due to safety concerns over high winds, will be entitled to refunds.

Show director David Nunn said yesterday that it was too early to provide details of the procedure for obtaining refunds, but an announcement would be made next week, with details appearing on the website www.suffolkshow.co.uk .

Tradestand holders are not thought to have any contractual entitlement to a refund in the event of the show being curtailed by the weather but organisers indicated that they would adopt a sympathetic approach.

Mr Nunn said: “One tradestand holder has already told me that, as his company has enjoyed many successful days at the Suffolk Show over the years, he will not seek any refund.

“However, we recognise that some businesses will not be able to afford to take that view. It’s too early to talk about the detail of refunds but we will be back here next year and we want exhibitors to come back and my feeling is we will need to be generous.”

However, Mr Bushby and Mr Nunn pledged that, despite the financial hit resulting from yesterday’s cancellation, the financial strength of the agricultural association meant there would be no let-up in efforts to invest in and improve the Suffolk Show.

“The planning for next year’s show will start immediately, as is always the case,” added Mr Nunn.

People who bought tickets for the second day of the Suffolk Show from one of the EADT’s offices will be able to claim a full refund by visiting any of our offices up to and including next Friday, June 15.