Traders have packed up and left Jeremy Clarkson's Farm-Fest early, branding the event a 'shambles' after claiming they were not making any money. The three-day festival, held over the bank holiday weekend across 300 acres at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, celebrates the skills and produce of Britain's farmers, combining 'the traditional joy of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival,' according to the venue.
Adult tickets cost £35 for a half-day or £60 for an all-day admission. The festival reportedly attracted 20,000 visitors on Saturday alone, with 55,000 expected over the entire weekend. The event features 12 arenas, including talks and displays with Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper, live music from Alex James of Blur, 10cc, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and a DJ set by Groove Armada.
However, some of the 400 stall holders have expressed disappointment, with several leaving early. Business owners posted tearful videos on social media, with one titling hers 'what a shambles'. Korrine Pallas, owner of Phoenix Equestrian and Pet Supplies, said Friday was 'the worst day's trading we have ever had.' In a TikTok video, she stated: 'It has been darn right awful at Farm-Fest. When I say it's not worth getting out of bed for, it's an understatement. It has been horrific, and I know everyone else is feeling the same and is in the same boat as us.'
Korrine updated followers in a tearful message announcing she was leaving a day early, something her company had never done before at a trade show. Holding back tears, she said: 'It has been catastrophic for us, and when you are already a small family business in hard times it is heart-wrenching.' She noted they were 'a few grand down' and that it would cost her £400 to come on Sunday, 'and I haven't even come near that in the last couple of days.'
Emma, co-founder of pet brand Pops and Coco, said in a TikTok video that the event was a shambles. She added: 'There have been a lot of traders who have gone home – lots of traders left last night, particularly dog traders. I would say 90 per cent of traders across the whole showground, whatever they are selling, have either made a loss and they haven't made their costs back or they are only just making some money now.'
A spokesman for Jeremy Clarkson's Great British Farm-Fest told MailOnline: 'We have been working closely with traders at The Great British Farm-Fest to provide support during our inaugural weekend. We are surprised that a handful of exhibitors, out of the 400 who attended, left the show within a few hours of the first day without experiencing an event that has attracted over 50,000 visitors.' The Mirror has also reached out for comment.
