New mayor hopes to help reinstate flower show

Shrewsbury's new mayor has said he wants to help reinstate the town's popular flower show after it was cancelled for two years in a row.

Organised by the Shropshire Horticultural Society (SHS), it usually takes place over two days in August in The Quarry Park.

It was cancelled in 2025 due to "changes to National Insurance (NI) and the minimum wage", alongside the cost-of-living crisis, while in January this year organisers said it was cancelled again because of "rocketing costs" involved.

Councillor Bernie Bentick became mayor on Monday, taking over from Alex Wagner, and said he wanted to assist in getting the event back on the town's calendar.

One business owner previously told BBC Radio Shropshire the cancellation of the festival would lose them up to £10,000 in bookings.

Chair of the SHS, Maelor Owen, said in January the society was working on various plans for the future and was considering different formats for the show with an events consultant.

He added the group had also spoken to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) about the possibility of working together for a future show.

However, the RHS had show commitments in place, so this would "not be possible in the near future", he added.

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