Tickets for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show sold out on May 14, 11 days before the show opens—the fastest sell-out since 1988.
Last year, the show sold out much later—just two days before it opened to RHS members.
The show’s organisers are also reporting unprecedented interest from sponsors who want to create show gardens for next year’s show.
Ticket sales are also strong for the RHS’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which takes place on July 6–11.
Stephen Bennett, RHS shows director, commented: ‘We’re noticing an interest in demand from both consumers wanting to visit RHS shows and organisations recognising the opportunities to promote through them.
‘For visitors, RHS shows are a great way to fulfil all their gardening needs. Gardening is about indulgence without the guilt—it’s the nation’s favourite hobby—but, at the same time, it’s good for you and the environment.
‘For consumers, you’re aligning yourself with a good charitable cause and a world-class, show-stopping event with immense networking and promotional opportunities.
‘RHS Chelsea has a significant financial impact across the gardening industry, with garden centres, growers and design consultancies all achieving growth in business because of the RHS show activity. I hope this is a key indicator that 2010 will be a strong year for horticulture.’
The Chelsea Flower Show opens to members of the RHS on May 25 and 26 and to the public from May 28 to May 30.
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