Game Fair aims to help rural economy
Losses from all the cancellations last year due to poor weather are still having an impact on the rural economy, but the organisers at the Game Fair are hoping this year's event will provide a helping hand

The organisers of the CLA Game Fair - this year at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, on July 19-21 - are hoping the annual three-day country-sports extravaganza will help reinvigorate the rural economy, which took such a pasting last year.
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The numerous event cancellations, including the Game Fair at Belvoir, are thought to represent losses totalling £240 million. Game Fair director Andrew Crawford says: ‘We are calling for a massive show of support at all this year's outdoor shows and predicting very healthy visitor numbers at the Game Fair.' So far, take-up of the 1,000 or so trade-stand slots has been as normal, which indicates that small businesses have generally survived the recession.
Statistics from 2011 show that some 78% of the 145,000 visitors participate in at least one country sport, 56% shoot and 27% fish. In a drive to attract the horsey sector, Sunday will have a strong equestrian theme. Visit www.gamefair.co.uk.
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