August 13, 2020 11.34 am This story is over 43 months old

Newark Showground cancels events after COVID-19 spike

Too risky for the events to go ahead

By Local Democracy Reporter

Upcoming events at Newark Showground have been cancelled after the recent spike in coronavirus cases in the area.

Public health officials made the decision alongside the showground and Newark and Sherwood District Council on Wednesday.

The Antiques Fair will go ahead as planned on Thursday, August 13 for traders, but will not be open to the public.

The Newark International Antiques and Collectors Fair and the Normous Newark Autojumble, scheduled for this weekend, have been cancelled.

The decision comes after a Bakkavor factory in Newark confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 in which around 50 people tested positive.

Over 1,600 people work in the dessert factory and testing is still ongoing, the West Bridgford Wire reports.

Jonathan Gribbin, public health director for Nottinghamshire, said the call was the right thing to do.

“The welfare of local people is a top priority and I am grateful to the event organisers for cooperating fully with this decision which is the right thing to do for the residents of Newark and the wider community.

“Tackling coronavirus is a county-wide effort and everyone needs to play their part by strictly adhering to the government advice on social distancing, hand washing, the wearing of face masks and the test and trace scheme.”