The Showmen’s Guild continued to boost its dialogue with local councils by attending the 2025 Local Government Association convention in Liverpool this month, putting the concerns and achievements of the industry to the 1,600 councillors in attendance.
The general secretary and public affairs manager of the Showmen’s Guild attended the 2025 Local Government Association convention in Liverpool this month alongside the ACP, in order to represent the needs of members to the 1,600 councillors present.
Discussing issues such as the high costs of doing business with councils, Joe Mercer and Desmond FitzGerald presented a series of “calls to action” on behalf of the Guild, building on ongoing discussions with the LGA’s chair of culture and sport.
“We were looking to promote best practice and to work together with Local Government to boost fairs and make things easier for members, including Sections working with councils locally,” said FitzGerald.
“This all came at a critical tipping-point for Local Government; where the imminent Devolution of some councils and amalgamation of others is in the midst of taking place. We therefore continued our strategy of talking to everybody; on the basis that at least some of them will be the decision-makers in their areas moving forward.”
With key discussion points “refined” into a bespoke leaflet which was presented to delegates, the Guild was able to tackle subjects such as the £100m spent on council rent annually by members, as well as highlighting the role of the fair in UK cultural life.
“The reaction was continuingly positive,” said FitzGerald. “We were able to alter perceptions of the industry with a quick chat and highlight the Showmen’s Guild ‘s/ACP‘s Trade Association position at the centre of the industry.”
“Overall, it was an information-hungry and ‘business-regulation’ receptive audience; so that we were largely continuing to push an open door.”
A Fair shout
Des FitzGerald said… “The reaction was continuingly positive. We were able to alter perceptions of the industry with a quick chat and highlight the Showmen’s Guild’s/ACP’s Trade Association position at the centre of the industry…
