13 June 2012

Balmoral Show To Move To Maze

The Balmoral show is to move to the former Maze prison site.

More than 600 farmers gathered at the Kings Halls in Belfast last night to vote at an especially-convened meeting.

A large majority voted to move to the site outside Lisburn, leaving behind the King’s Hall where the agricultural show has been held for more than 100 years.

The head of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS), Colin McDonald, said the show had outgrown its traditional venue.

RUAS agreed to purchase a 65-acre site at the former Maze prison in March, for a sum of up to £4m.

Mr McDonald said: "This proposal has always focused on the commercial realities – market competition, capacity, and the future of the King's Hall."

The site used for the show at the Maze will be given the symbolic name of Balmoral Park to continue some tradition.

Although concerns were raised about access to the new grounds on busy show days, people high up in RUAS insisted work was being started immediately to make sure the site was ready in time for spring next year.

The King's Hall will be developed for housing and shops, while the site at the Maze will hold an agricultural centre of excellence as well as the grounds for the annual show.

(NE)