RAF Fairford air show cancellation 'devastating'

Hospitality businesses have said they are facing a "huge loss" following the news that the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) will be leaving RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

RIAT has been held at the base for more than 40 years but a decision has been made to move it to the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Boscombe Down, in Wiltshire. The next show will be held there from 16 to 18 July next year.

Tanya Callow‑Trujillo, reservations manager at a pub in Meysey Hampton, said they would lose "a massive chunk of business" every year.

A Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises spokesperson said it would "continue to be headquartered in Fairford and remains committed to the town and community".

The air show was cancelled earlier this year due to uncertainty over access to RAF Fairford because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Callow‑Trujillo, who runs the Mason Arms, described feeling "absolutely shocked" when she heard the news.

She said she would miss the regular customers as well as the business they provided.

"I've really built up a rapport with them," she said. "It will be really sad to not have that chunk of my work that's dealing with guests that I know.

"It was just amazing to just have such a good atmosphere in the village.

"Every year it's the thing that really puts us on the map."

Mimmo Pipitone, who runs Colosseo Italian Restaurant in Fairford, said when RIAT was cancelled earlier this year, the business lost "a lot of money".

He said: "It's the best week we have during the year. We are fully booked every day."

Jo Northen, who owns Kempsford Camping, said the decision would have a "hugely devastating financial impact" and would affect both the teenagers they employ to help during the event and their local suppliers.

Northen works as a farmer but opens her land for camping specifically for the air show.

"Without the air show, we're just a field," she said.

Former mayor of Fairford Chris Roberts said she was "not surprised" the event had been moved but she said she found the news "very sad".

She said: "RIAT has made Fairford an aviation hub.

"It has put us on the map. We've had global visitors using our pubs, restaurants and shops."

A spokesperson for Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises said RAF Fairford would "always remain an important part of the event's story".

They said: "While RIAT's flying operations will move to MoD Boscombe Down, Fairford will remain the home of the organisation."

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