Criticism persuades New Forest Show to restore popular antiques tent

A POPULAR antiques tent is set to return to this year’s New Forest Show after event bosses came under fire for scrapping it in 2018.

Citing a lack of space in the showground, near Brockenhurst, as the reason for doing away with a dedicated antiques marquee last year, show bosses now admit they received unprecedented demand for it to be reintroduced at this year’s three-day event.

New Forest Show chief executive Denis Dooley said: “Having listed to feedback from our visitors, the decision was made for the antiques tent to come back this year.”

When the decision was made to do away with the attraction last year, local residents took to social media to share their disappointment.

One visitor commented: “That’s a real shame, we buy something from there every year. I’m not interested in the windows, cars or conservatories, we go there for the small, local businesses and for something a little different.”

Now in its 37th year at the event, the antiques and collectors marquee will feature a variety of exhibitors from around the country.

Mr Dooley continued: “The marquee will welcome the return of many regular exhibitors as well as some brand new ones. Exhibitors will be selling a mix of items including jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles, silver, glassware, pictures, postcards, objet d’art and more.”

Linda Malin, organiser of the antiques marquee, added: “Having missed the show last year we are delighted to be back this year, which we hope will be our most successful show to date”.

This year the New Forest Show will take place on 30th, 31st July and 1st August, and will also feature more than 550 trade stands across the showground.

For more information and tickets visit www.newforestshow.co.uk.