York Cycle Show 2013 cancelled

BikeBiz has been told this morning that the annual CTC York Cycle show has been cancelled for 2013.

Due to be held on the City’s Knavesmire site over the June 22nd/23rd weekend, a combination of factors – including lack of advanced bookings and the financial toll of some wet weather blighted shows over the past year or two – caused the organisers to make the cancellation.

Plans for the 2014 CTC York Cycle Show are still being discussed, however, with an expected Tour de France Grand Depart tie-in.

Committee Chair Paul Hepworth of Holgate, York said: "Advance bookings by traders and visitors this year, are well below expectations. Last year’s horrendous weather depleted our attendance and income, and this year’s uncertain summer forecasts do not give cause for public optimism.

"Changes in personal leisure and retail spending, plus increasing travel costs and the squeeze on personal finances have also influenced our visitor market . Our financial reserves have been depleted by all these factors, over the last two years. It is increasingly difficult to compete with other major cycling events which, unlike us have commercial sponsorship.”

Hepworth continued: “We have previously discussed involvement in the 2014 Tour de France and hope to bring the Cycle Show back in some form, as part of the activities associated with the Grand Depart in Yorkshire.

"Other local CTC groups in Yorkshire are planning TdF related events, during the “Grand Depart” period, and to help build a “follow on” cycling legacy."