Dwindling numbers threaten show

The show celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006

A dramatic fall in visitor numbers may spell the end of the Swansea Show after 27 years.

Fewer than 2,000 people attended the annual two-day event at the city's Singleton Park in May 2008.

Organisers have yet to decide whether to carry on but have warned exhibitor and competitor numbers had also fallen.

At its height more than 12,000 used to turn up to watch the show jumping, dog displays and car rallies and visit the stalls and fairground rides.

Swansea's cabinet member for recreation Graham Thomas said despite the best efforts of the council and volunteers who helped organise it, it was not as popular as it used to be.

He and his colleagues are expected to consider its future at a meeting next month.

"It's been a much-loved attraction and many people have enjoyed the event over the years," he said.

"But sadly people don't seem to want to come any more.

"For an event that has drawn crowds above 12,000 in previous years, attendances have declined dramatically and we have to consider whether the show is sustainable with the kind of financial loss we incurred this year.

"We are finding that a range of factors such as rising costs and increased health and safety regulations meant that it's actually costing us more to put on less.

"The rising infrastructure costs meant that each year we have less to spend on the actual product available to the paying customer."

He said the number of exhibitors and competitors taking part had also dropped off.

The show celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006.