Spalding Flower Parade: busy weekend for pubs but calls made for more entertainment in town centre

Flower power certainly worked for the tills at some town firms over the weekend while others reported a disappointing result.

Spalding Flower Parade brought thousands of visitors to the town on Saturday to support the musical themed event which started and finished at Springfields Events and Conference Centre.

A public vote was taken for the choice of venue as Castle Sport Centre was not available due to a major revamp - which led to criticism that business would be taken out of the town centre.

Volunteers who organised the parade for the first time are now keen to hear feedback from businesses in the town.

Springfields was packed ‘to capacity’ where visitors enjoyed entertainment from Not Taylor Swift along with craft stalls but calls have been made for more entertainment to be put on in the town centre next year.

Trudy Edgington, owner of the Green Bowl on New Road had a good week businesswise in the lead up but had a ‘disappointing’ time on parade day and would like to see more put on in the town centre.

She said: “I understand how hard it is to manage a big project like this.

“It is a free event but I feel disappointed there wasn't much in the town on the day such as craft stalls or face painting.

“When it was in the Castle Sport Centre it involved the town. It is a brilliant event and we are lucky to have it.”

Two pubs took full advantage of the weather and extra custom generated by the parade.

Keir Moore, landlord at The Moorings on Commercial Road ‘turned people away’ as they have a small bar area and a full beer garden.

He said: “We had a great day to be fair.

“The first hour was chaotic and it was a lot better than a normal Saturday - definitely a boost.”

Mr Moore will be making some improvements for next year by hiring extra staff and introducing an online ordering system.

He added: “There is definitely stuff to look at for next year such as offering table service.

“We had a couple of members of staff on and we definitely needed extra hands.

“The weather was fantastic and everybody wanted to sit outside.”

He also saw families who walked in on the off chance after watching the parade along with passing footfall from those who were headed to the twin bridges to watch the floats.

Mr Moore added: “All of a sudden we had people walking in that hadn't booked to watch the parade.

“It was a good day in general. We were flat out.

“We didn’t hear of any trouble.”

Another venue that benefited from the extra footfall in town was the Red Lion.

General manager Kirsty Berry said: “We had a good day.

“It was good to see the town busy.

“People were still using the town once the parade had gone to Springfields.”

The Ivy Wall, the Wetherspoons bar in New Road, also benefited from extra footfall.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “The Spalding flower parade is a major event and The Ivy Wall was busy with customers enjoying a drink and something to eat over the weekend.”

Committee members are getting together to plan next year’s event and are keen to learn any lessons from Saturday’s parade.

Dave Mustoe, entertainment manager for the parade said: “I can understand that the parade has been in the town in the past and that retailers and traders may have been disappointed.

“What I would like to say is that there were so many businesses who provided prizes for election night - restaurants and hotels were very supportive and they knew that it wouldn't be in town.”

The flower parade committee has started planning next year’s event which takes place on May 8, 9 and 10 and members are keen to make it ‘bigger and better’.

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