THE GREAT Yorkshire Show is all set to open its gates to visitors from tomorrow (Tuesday, July 13) with 104,000 people expected on the showground over the four days.

The Show will run from 8.00am to 6.00pm Tuesday, July 13 to Friday, July 16 and it is hoped this will allow visitors to arrive and leave in a more staggered way to help avoid queues.

Capacity has been limited to a maximum of 26,000 people a day to minimise potential crowding and visitors are strongly encouraged to have a Lateral Flow Device test before they come to the Show as part of the “Test before you Travel” campaign.

New Covid-safe measures implemented this year include: multiple sanitiser points and changing layouts to avoid pinch points, Track and Trace at the hospitality points, a reduction in the Grandstand capacity to 25% - 30% with tickets purchased in advance, extra security to disperse any crowding, a one way system around the Food Hall, cace coverings to be worn in all indoor areas, including toilets and the Grandstand, and encouraged when in queues and table service only at bar areas.

Chief Executive Nigel Pulling, of Yorkshire Agricultural Society which organises the show said they had been working closely with North Yorkshire County Council Public Health and Harrogate Borough Council to meet strict criteria to go ahead safely.

He said: “Organising an event of the size and complexity of the Great Yorkshire Show to make it as Covid safe as possible has been a massive challenge for all involved and we have been delighted to have the cooperation of both North Yorkshire and Harrogate councils. The normal timescale for organising the event was shortened because of the changing guidance but we are confident we have put the right measures in place.”

The Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Carl Les, added: “We have been working very hard with the show organisers to make sure this will be a Covid-secure but also a celebratory occasion to showcase the work and the produce of our farming and rural communities.

“The Great Yorkshire Show is a major event in the regional and national calendar so we are delighted that we have been able to support the organisers to make it happen this year, especially after last year’s cancellation and all the challenges our communities have been through during the pandemic.”

Sections that will not feature in this year’s show include the Fashion Show, the WI Stand, the pole climbing competition and the Cookery Theatre in the Food Hall, although the Game Cookery Theatre will go ahead as usual.

Visitors are requested to download the NHS app before arriving in order to be able to scan QR codes where necessary, such as hospitality areas. Those working at the Show, including catering and trade stands, will be required to have a negative lateral flow test within 24 hours before arriving at the Showground. This will help to reduce the risk for all those on site. Tickets for the Show are this year in advance only and visitors are asked to print out e-tickets to help with social distancing at the gates. Visitors will not be able to enter the Show without a ticket and they will not be available on the gates.