The Showmen’s Guild has reported that funfairs around Greater London enjoyed a positive Easter this year, as fine weather coincided with the season of diverse religious festivals, helping Showmen mitigate the impact of economic headwinds.
The Showmen’s Guild has reported that this Easter’s sunny conditions helped fairs taking place around Greater London enjoy steady footfall, however “what they gained in the weather stakes, overall they lost in the economic stakes.”
Writing on the fate of thirteen fairs around the capital, from Hillingdon to Bexley, and Wanstead Flats to Epsom, Desmond FitzGerald noted that “fine weather” was key to continued trade, alongside a culturally diverse array of events.
“Talking to Showmen, both lessees and tenants at the thirteen fairs that we attended, with many more discussed; it was plain that this year the fairs started reasonably, as school holidays kicked-in; then continued to trade more steadily, with some good afternoons,” wrote SGGB spokesperson FitzGerald.
“This was especially so in parks where sun-worshippers dwelt longer; including Tooting Bec, Finsbury Park, Danson Park, Clapham Common and Wanstead Flats; but with less visitation in the evenings and overall a tailing off as the many days wore on, towards the Easter weekend – and the end of the school holidays.”
As well as good weather, fairs in Southall, Finsbury Park, Eastcote, High Wycombe, and Crystal Palace benefitted from events coinciding with the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, with Bob Wilson’s Funfair in Southall also seeing “tens of thousands of people” turn out for the annual Sikh festival of Vaisakhi, on 7 April.
Noting a further positive, FitzGerald added: “It is welcome to report the investment in new rides and attractions this Easter; alongside well-designed, versatile game stalls and adventurous food kiosks making their debut.”
“Several of the Showmen we spoke to across the Capital are also pivoting to embrace wider business interests in manufacturing and new leisure concepts; channelling their showmanship skills, whilst keeping their hand in with the Fairs.”
