DECISION-DAY LOOMS ON FUTURE OF 'WHITE ELEPHANT' MERIDIAN SHOWGROUND

                                                                        

More  events needed - the showground

A DECISION is expected to be made next week on the future of the Meridian Showground in Cleethorpes.

When they meet on Wednesday, members of North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet will consider a range of options, including disposal of the site.

However, officers will recommend that it should both be retained and marketed vigorously to attract more events.

Created  with the help of a £1.7 million grant, some from the EU, the showground has proved  a disappointment - some have dubbed it a white elephant - since it opened in 2008.

It offers an 8.63-acre grassed space and a control tower for hosting a variety of outdoor events such as shows, fairs, circuses, rallies, markets, corporate days, exhibitions, balls and parties.

But relatively few have been held, and it has been loss-making from the start because maintenance costs have far outstripped income.

However, last year the situation improved.

Because more events were held, the 2018-19 deficit was cut from about £30,000 to about £19,000.

NELC has tried to offload the showground a couple of times in the past.

Lincs Inspire nibbled at the bait, but decided not to bite, and a private-sector operator submitted a bid but this was deemed too low to be  acceptable. 

Unfortunately, this spring and lockdown will have  taken its toll, but NELC remains hopeful that, with the right publicity and promotion - plus a range of high-quality events - it can yet make a decent fist of the showground.

Says a report to the cabinet: "Over the last 18 months, significant progress has been made in reducing costs and increasing income.

"This is an appropriate time to review the range of management options and recommend a preferred way forward.

"The showground has an improving reputation and marketing strategy which complements the resort’s tourism offer. 

"It will also benefit from the borough’s wider arts and cultural offer which has been strengthened by the securing of Arts Council funding."

The report adds: " Retaining the showground will allow the council to ensure, as far as is possible, a joined-up strategic approach to the events programme and to  the arts and culture across the borough."