26/05/2026
There is no denying the appeal of The Great British Farm-Fest
Set against the backdrop of British farming, countryside culture and familiar faces from television, the event captured something many of us care deeply about: celebrating British agriculture, rural enterprise and the people who work tirelessly to keep it alive.
As a trader, that is exactly why I attended.
Like many independent businesses, I invested heavily to be there — not simply to sell products, but to support British farming, British craftsmanship and what we believed would be a showcase of genuine British excellence.
And in many ways, there were real highs.
The atmosphere among traders was warm, resilient and supportive. Conversations with visitors who did find us were wonderful. There remains something incredibly powerful about bringing together people who care about the countryside, heritage skills and British-made products.
Most importantly, the event highlighted something Britain should never lose sight of: our farmers matter.
Without them, we simply do not have food security, rural communities or the landscapes many of us treasure.
However, alongside the positives came difficult realities — and for many traders, the experience was not what had been sold to us.
Many businesses attended based on expectations of substantial visitor numbers and strong engagement with trade stands. For some, the reality felt very different. Footfall often appeared concentrated in certain areas, while other sections struggled for visibility.
At times, the layout felt as though someone had tipped hundreds of businesses into a field and hoped for the best. Visitors frequently commented that they had “no idea traders were over there” or had not realised entire sections even existed.
For independent businesses investing significant sums to attend, visibility matters.
There were also concerns about the sheer volume of stalls and duplication. Many traders found themselves competing against near-identical products within a crowded marketplace, making it difficult for smaller independent brands to stand out.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment, however, was a feeling of disconnect between the event’s message and parts of the trader offering.
Many of us attended believing we were supporting British farming and British excellence — a celebration of local makers, heritage craft and homegrown enterprise. Yet some traders questioned why imported products appeared alongside genuinely British-made businesses, particularly when many attendees had chosen to support an event promoting British values and British agriculture.
This is not an argument against trade. Nor is it criticism of farmers. This is an appeal for the organisers to do better next time! Group the British made traders with their British made products made with British wool etc together and have better signage. Less stalls and don't overdo duplicate! Let's push the best of British in ALL respects
In fact, what struck me most afterwards was seeing comments from farmers saying, “Now you know how we feel” or “Try being a farmer.”
And perhaps that is the unexpected lesson from the weekend.
Independent makers and farmers may have more in common than we realise.
Both face rising costs. Both battle shrinking margins. Both invest heavily before seeing any return. Both are vulnerable to decisions beyond their control. And both often feel undervalued despite producing something real, skilled and meaningful.
The frustration many traders feel should not be directed at farmers — because we came to support them. As farmers should not direct hatred at the traders for being let down by the organisers.
Instead, perhaps this moment raises an important question: if we truly value British farming and British enterprise, how do we create events that genuinely support both?
Farmfest has huge potential. The public appetite for British farming, rural life and authentic craftsmanship is clearly there.
But for future events to thrive, organisers may need to listen carefully to the voices of the independent businesses who invested time, money and hope into being part of it.
Because supporting British farming should go hand in hand with supporting the small British businesses standing beside it.
BBC News BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Birmingham Live Kaleb Cooper Contracting LTD Kaleb Cooper. Diddly Squat Farm Shop
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