9 June 2014

Council considers way forward for Ellerslie

The Ellerslie International Flower Show will not be held in 2015, while the Council works towards making the event financially viable in 2016.

At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 28 May, Councillors resolved that a sub-committee be formed to negotiate with Flower Show Management Limited, the management company for Ellerslie International Flower Show.

It has since been agreed that the management contract between the Council and Flower Show Management Limited Events will not be renewed, effective from 12 June 2014.

The Council will pay management fees owed to 31 May 2014, but no other compensation or early termination fees are payable.

Councillor Tim Scandrett said while Ellerslie brings many benefits to Christchurch, the Council is not currently in a position financially to sustain the show.

“Ellerslie is a fantastic event. It cements Christchurch’s image as the Garden City, boosts local morale and puts our city on the tourism map.” Visitors to this year’s show had a 94 per cent satisfaction rate.

“However, the Council has a responsibility to rate-payers to be prudent with spending, so we need to work through how a gardening show can be made financially viable. While there will be no show next year, the Council will work with the gardening and events communities to work out what form a show could take in 2016,” said Cr Scandrett.

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