Revealed: Major shake-up in RHS tour format, marking the biggest adjustment in the show system in four decades
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is set to broaden its reach and impact, with a series of exciting changes aimed at delivering world-class horticulture to a wider audience.
Helena Pettit, the RHS Director of Shows, Commercial and Innovation, expressed her enthusiasm about the opportunities these new partnerships and locations will offer. The focus of these changes is to make the organisation more accessible and welcoming to a greater number of people.
One of the key aspects of these changes is the creation of shows in "fixed venue" sites, which offers better sustainability opportunities for the RHS. This approach will allow the society to work more closely with communities, designers, nurseries, and other stakeholders.
The RHS Urban Show, which recently took place in Manchester earlier this month, was a shining example of this new approach. The event focused on gardening for small spaces and community involvement, and was met with great success.
In a significant move, the RHS has also announced that next year's show will take place in London, marking a new chapter for the organisation. Moreover, the new shows will have names that reflect their new venues, further emphasising the RHS's commitment to localisation and community engagement.
Clare Matterson, the RHS Director General, stated that these are some of the biggest changes made to the RHS shows in a generation. The aim is to deliver a more diverse and inclusive horticultural experience, bringing the joys of gardening to more people across the UK.
While the new locations for the RHS Flower Shows from 2024 have not been explicitly stated, the RHS Urban Show 2023 in London promises to be a fitting prelude to this exciting new era for the Royal Horticultural Society. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.
