THE 2013 Suffolk Show has attracted record sponsorship of around £135,000 as it continues to bounce back from the cancellation of last year’s second day .

The Suffolk Agricultural Association, which stages an annual showcase event at its Trinity Park home on the edge of Ipswich, had already announced that it would absorb the loss from its reserves rather than encumber the show with an on-going deficit.

Many of the exhibitors who were offered refunds also declined to take up the offer, helping to cushion the financial blow.

Now it has become clear that not only are established supporters of the show returning this year but other organisations are also showing interest in becoming involved.

At a Press conference today, at which many details of this year’s show were revealed, SAA executive director Christopher Bushby said the extensive media coverage of last year’s cancellation appeared to have had the effect of increasing awareness of the show.

The sponsorship target of £115,000 for this year’s show had already been exceeded by about £20,000, with 10% of sponsors being new to the show.

In addition, demand for trade stand space was also well up on last year and could also reach a new record level, he said.

Honorary show director David Nunn, who will stand down at the end of this year’s show after three years in the role, added: “They say every cloud has a silver lining and maybe the problem of last year has helped this year’s show.

“Certainly, everything is going extremely well, with the sponsorship target having been exceeded by £20,000.”

n For details of this year’s Suffolk Show, see the County Life section in next Saturday’s EADT.