The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has written to new PM Andy Burnham outlining the hopes and concerns of the travelling funfair industry, proposing a meeting with ministers to discuss how the government can support a sector which delivers more than £200m annually in rent to local councils alone.
The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has written to Andy Burnham outlining its purpose and hopes as an industry body, highlighting the significant cultural and economic contribution the travelling funfair industry makes to the UK.
Addressing the letter to the PM’s new No 10 North, the Guild congratulated Burnham on “the progressive pace that you have already set,” and detailed a number of measures by which ministers could better support and preserve the sector.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with you and your teams regionally, including continuing our close dialogue with the already Manchester-based DCMS,” wrote president Keith Carroll. “We are looking to progress discussions with the evolving new administrations post LGR on the progression of Place-based community activity spaces, fully teched-up for each community’s continuing use.”
“We are reminding them of the social value of our fairs’ craft with both physical and mental Wellbeing enhancement as calculated by Sport England and Arts Council England. Equally, our Lancs Cheshire & North Wales Section has worked closely with Manchester City Council and GMCA, on transport, electrical power, planning and more.”
Noting that though the travelling funfair industry boasts more than 4,000 members across the UK and pays in excess of £200m in rent to local councils, Carroll acknowledged the Guild’s “growing concern for both the short- and long-term future of this important part of Britain’s cultural heritage.”
“The industry has faced significant challenges in recent years; from rising operating costs including fuel, insurance, and site rental expenses; which has placed considerable pressure on businesses throughout the sector.”
“In addition, many traditional fair sites have been lost due to town centre redevelopment and changing land use, reducing opportunities for fairs to serve the communities that have supported them for generations.”
With fun fairs omitted from the recent Summer Savings Scheme, Carroll added “we would welcome the opportunity to engage with Government on future initiatives and support measures.”
“In particular, we would like to discuss how the United Kingdom might consider bringing traditional travelling funfairs more closely into line with practices seen elsewhere in Europe, where many fairground operators benefit from VAT relief in recognition of the cultural, social, and economic value they bring to local communities.”
All’s Fair
Keith Carroll said… “We would like to discuss how the United Kingdom might consider bringing traditional travelling funfairs more closely into line with practices seen elsewhere in Europe, where many fairground operators benefit from VAT relief in recognition of the cultural, social, and economic value they bring to local communities…
Originally published on Coinslot on August 17, 2026. Republished with permission.