Disappointment as East Coast Showground opening is delayed to 2021

The opening of a new major showground in Lincolnshire has been delayed further to 2021.

East Coast Showground was to have originally launched in Skegness for a three-day VE75 Festival on May 8.

This was cancelled when the UK Government announced it would no longer be “supporting” mass gatherings using emergency workers in measures to combat the coronavirus crisis...

It had been hoped events planned for later in the year would still go ahead. However, following the latest extension of lockdown, it is now believed this is not possible.

The decision has come as a blow for the organisers following what has already been a massive investment through the planning stages of the new East Coast Showground - a 16-acre site on Burgh Road.

Russ Sparkes, who received planning permission to hold events at the Showground in September last year, said: "Following the latest announcements on lockdown by the Government, we, like the organisers of many major events in the county, have taken the decision to delay plans until 2021.

"Due to the time required to organise events and the requirements on informing legal bodies, the East Coast Showground has decided to cancel its opening until Spring 2021.

"We apologise for the delay but we will bring news of our plans as soon as we can.

"Our commitment to delivering a first-class major attraction for the coast remains."

Although the event on the East Coast Showground has been cancelled, it is hoped some of the attractions lined up for the VE75 Festival in Skegness on May 8will still go ahead, including flyovers by the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.