Traders share brutal reality of farm festival headlined by Jeremy Clarkson as some leave early losing money
Traders have claimed they had a 'horrific' time at 'the UK's biggest country fair' over the weekend, despite it being headlined by Jeremy Clarkson.
The event at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire attracted some 400 stalls and 55,000 people.
Clarkson was one of the main draws, and he also brought his Clarkson's Farm co-stars Charlie Ireland, Lisa Hogan and Kaleb Cooper.
Radio host Chris Moyles, Blur's Alex James and Sophie Ellis-Bextor were also on the roster, alongside hundreds of animals, music bands, DJs and star guests between Friday and Sunday.
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Organisers said the event would combine 'the traditional joy of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival'.
Adult tickets cost £35 for a half-day or £60 for an all-day admission, with 12 arenas across the site.
Show director Chris Hughes told Farmers Weekly it was 'probably the largest new festival in Britain this year', and added they hope to make it an annual event.
On paper, it sounds like a surefire success - but some traders have insisted otherwise.
Korrine Pallas, who owns pet product firm Phoenix Equestrian and Pet Supplies, was one of the traders who struggled to do any business.
She said Friday was 'the worst day's trading we have ever had'.
Taking to TikTok, she said: "It has been darn right awful at Farm-Fest.
"When I say it's not worth getting out of bed for, it's an absolute understatement. It has been horrific, and I know everyone else is feeling the same and is in the same boat as us."
Announcing her decision to leave early, Korrine added: "It has been catastrophic for us, and when you are already a small family business in hard times, it is heart-wrenching.
"We're a few grand down. With wages, with fuel, with van hire, it's £400 to come tomorrow, and I haven't even made that in the last couple of days. Nowhere f**kng near in fact."
She said it was the first time they'd ever left a trade show early.
Emma, who co-founded pet brand Pops and Coco, also said on TikTok: "There have been a lot of traders who have gone home – lots of traders left last night, particularly dog traders.
"I would say 90 percent of traders across the whole showground, whatever they are selling, have either made a loss and they haven't made their costs back or they are only just making some money now."
Saddle fitter Julie Masters, of Masters Saddles, also shared an image of her stall being blocked by a lorry.
"A very expensive mistake setting up and investing resources," she said.
"Photos show the main shopping aisle and then us, blocked by a lorry.
"We asked several times for the lorry to be moved but no joy. We are thousands of pounds out pocket and they won’t give us a refund either."
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Great British Farm-Fest told MailOnline that only 'a handful of traders' left early.
"We have been working closely with traders at The Great British Farm-Fest to provide support during our inaugural weekend," they said.
"We are surprised that a handful of exhibitors, out of the 400 who attended, left the show within a few hours of the first day without experiencing an event that has attracted over 50,000 visitors."
LADbible Group has contacted organisers of the Great British Farm-Fest for comment.
Topics: Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy Clarkson
Anish Vij