Motor show may not return (From Gazette & Herald)

Motor show may not return

THE Malton Motor Show, which again attracted thousands of visitors to the town, may not go ahead next year, according to organiser Steve Smith.

Mr Smith, of Barker Smith Motors, who launched the event with co-organiser Colin Hesford in the wake of foot and mouth disease when all agricultural shows in Ryedale were cancelled, said he was not sure whether shop owners in Malton were in favour of it continuing.

Mr Smith said there were more shops closed than open at Sunday's event and he would have to meet with traders to discuss the issue before deciding whether or not to continue.

Speaking at the show, he said: "We have had a very good day, with a lot of people and the entertainment has been superb.

"There is a real carnival atmosphere and record crowds again, thousands of people. We have filled the market place and main street.

"But we are not sure if it's going to happen next year.

"One of the big disappointments is that every market town complains that nothing happens and there's no business, but we've brought this amount of people into the town and there's more shops closed than open.

"Colin Hesford and I have done it for three years and it's fallen into place but maybe it's time to let it rest for a while."

The show attracted around 150 classic and vintage cars, illusionists, a clown, a ventriloquist, buskers and musicians as well as offering stalls and games.

Heather Blacker, from Hopper's stationers in the Market Place, said it was one of the few businesses to make the effort.

"It was slightly disappointing to see fewer shops open," she said. "We were not very busy apart from selling ice creams - I don't think people realised we were open because other shops were shut."

Town centre marketing manager Peter Mudge said it was a shame more shops had not opened, but he understood why traders might have been reluctant.

"I hate this blame culture with shops," he said.

"It would certainly make an event if the shops opened, but traders do not know if they will make money. Traders need to have the confidence that it will be a success, and if they open on a Sunday it will become the second busiest day, it's obvious.

"But there's a nasty bit in between before Sunday trading becomes established and it's whether they are willing to go through that purgatory for a brighter future."

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, July 23, 2003