New owners of Ryedale venue reveal plans for more events (From Gazette & Herald)

New owners of Pickering Showground, Jason Bruton and Nick King, reveal plans for more events

12:25pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Julie Hayes, julie.hayes@thepress.co.uk

PICKERING Showground, the home of the famous Pickering Traction Engine Rally, has been sold to an entrepreneur from Beverley.

The ground, which was previously owned by the Catfoss Group, also based in Beverley, has been acquired by Jason Bruton, who has a number of properties and other business interests in East Yorkshire, and business partner Nick King, a financial advisor.

The new buyers have started a programme of investment to improve the showground – rebranded as the Ryedale Exhibition And Leisure Village – and hope to hold more events at the site, create new jobs and increase tourism to the district, they said.

Mr Bruton said: “The site has been under utilised for several years, so we’re really keen to see the showground being used to its full potential. “Bringing in a wider range of events to benefit the surrounding community is high on our agenda.

“The more varieties of events we can play host to will be key in attracting more visitors, thus benefiting the local businesses and tourism facilities. We are fully committed to seeing this venue thrive,” he said.

Keen for this venture to perform as a family business, the duo have recruited their wives, Dawn and Sarah, as part of the increasing events management team, who are consulting with local people on the types of events they would like to hold at the venue, from coffee mornings to musical concerts.

They have already secured a number of old and new events for the showground to host, including the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – Railway In Wartime weekend in October.

Mr Bruton said: “Exciting times are ahead and we are looking forward to getting involved with local people and groups to play our part in bringing more community spirit into the area.”