A NEW family festival held at Tabley Showground over Bank Holiday weekend was stopped less than halfway through due to poor attendance.

The Great 3-in-1 Spring Show was scheduled to run over May 27, 28 and 29, but was halted before the end of day one leaving traders and pre-booked ticket holders disappointed.

While traders have complained about missing refunds and losses through unused stock, organiser Steve Foley says he is ‘heartbroken’ after a year of unpaid work came to nought.

He said: “The show opened and there were some issues on setup in terms of high winds – some gazebos were blown over and some traders had to abandon, while some left because of the low attendance.

“There wasn’t a huge turnout and so there were concerns. What really made my decision [to pull the show] was that two of the suppliers who had afgreed to be paid afterwards insisted on being paid thera dn then.

“I had used the door money for the security and we were out of funds.

“I am heartbroken because it has caused so much anger and pain for something that should have been a fabulous weekend.”

Steve had organised for three stages to raise money for three charities, but raised just £30 in collection buckets.

The event was pulled when the audience dwindled to less than 20 people.

Steve, who says he is taking full responsibility for the festival’s failure, is now in the process of building a ‘proposal’ to put to traders who have been left out of pocket.

“Quite frankly I am a bit baffled as to why we got so little attendance. The local competition is strong and they are established events with a core base that we didn’t have.

“I don’t do running away with a pillow over my head. I am trying to resolve the issue, trying to do the right thing.”

The Cheshire Agricultural Society, which owns the showground, has distanced itself from the Great 3-in-1 Spring Show.

Executive director Nigel Evans said: “We are very sorry to learn of the poor level of support achieved by the Great 3-in-1 Spring Show and the subsequent cancellation.

“Unfortunately this is beyond our control. The decision was made by the organisers, who have booked and paid for the hire of the show ground in full as per our standard contractual policy.

“Anyone seeking financial recompense should get in touch with the Great 3-in-1 Spring Show organisers in the first instance.”