Extra security in place for flower show

The show will be bigger this year thanks to soaring interest from exhibitors, organisers say

Organisers of Shrewsbury Flower Show have implemented extra security measures this year to keep visitors safe and avoid disruption.

There was a security threat at last year’s event, and there are added concerns in the wake of violent disturbances elsewhere in the country over the past week.

There will be only two entrances to the show at the town's main park, The Quarry - its main gate and the Porthill Bridge gate.

The event takes place on Friday and Saturday.

It includes more than 35 floral exhibitors and more than 175 trade stands.

There is also a home and craft marquee, musicians, cookery demonstrations and a lecture area.

Organisers said they had liaised with police regarding the security arrangements for this year’s event, and that their decision to only open two gates was made with public safety in mind.

“We reviewed what happened last year, and the security team we’ve got has got in extra staff and things like that,” said finance officer Victoria Bullock.

She said organisers would be guided by the police as to the risk of any demonstration.

Organisers have the option to close the gates if necessary.

“We’ve had staff and steward training over suspicious packages and things like that.”

She said the team was looking forward to another successful show this year, with lots of interest ahead of the opening day.

“It’s a big team effort to put the show on,” Ms Bullock said.

“There’s certainly going to be a good turnout this year.

She said they had surpassed the number of traders from last year’s spectacle, and that sales of advance tickets had gone really well.

“It’s really about the floral exhibits - everybody’s really looking forward to that, there’s been a lot of entries into the competitions.

“We’ve got some new traders as well – it’s a really good mix of a traditional flower show but also some extra new bits in.”