Flower show cancelled for second year over costs

The organisers of Shrewsbury Flower Show have announced it will not go ahead in 2026 due to the "rocketing" costs of putting the event on.

It is the second year in a row the Shrewsbury Horticultural Society has had to cancel the popular event due to financial constraints.

Its chair, Maelor Owen, said the society was working on various plans for the future and was considering different formats for the show with an events consultant.

He said the group had spoken to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) about the possibility of working together for a future show, however added that the RHS had show commitments in place, so this would "not be possible in the near future".

In the meantime, he said, the society was planning a series of smaller events, talks and garden visits for members of the public and its members.

"Historically, we have been able to make substantial donations to Shrewsbury and Shropshire, including building the Porthill Suspension Bridge and gifting Shrewsbury Castle to the town," Owen said.

"More recently, we contributed £595,000 to the refurbishment of The Quarry and £250,000 to help restore the tower at St Chad's Church.

"As we will not be committing so much of our resources to staging the Shrewsbury Flower Show this year, we will be in a position to increase our donations to local and horticultural causes."

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