Recession hits Chelsea Flower Show

The economic downturn has taken its toll on this years Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show after some of the events exhibitors were forced to pull out.

Exhibitions will number around two thirds of previous years totals and two of the shows main garden centre participants have had to pull out, according to Horticulture Week.

One of those to fall by the wayside was Geoff Whiten, who will not be providing a display for the first time in 34 years.

"The RHS gave me extra time to find a sponsor because they wanted to preserve my record run of 34 consecutive years but I couldnt find anyone," he lamented to the news provider.

"Thats what really gets me – that I cant keep the record up. It came as a bolt out of the blue.

"The recession has bit hard. But I dont blame them for pulling out with the recession on."

Despite this, the RHS still expects to draw crowds of around 158,000 for a show that will still be jam-packed with inspiring ideas to take home to the garden and greenhouse.

Members are able to get privileged entry and discounts to the six-day show, which begins on May 19th.