It can hardly have come as a surprise that trade in Bingley's shops was hit by the decision to move Bingley Show out of the town centre to the sports ground off Wagon Lane.

The traditional site in Myrtle Park is close to the shopping centre. Many visitors to the show, arriving by bus or train or parking in the main car park, had to walk past the shops, cafes and pubs on their way to and from the park. That brought very welcome spin-off business to a town which, at present, needs every boost it can get. For many of the traders, show day was bonus day.

Given the problems the organisers faced this year, particularly with access, it was perhaps understandable that they should have felt it desirable to move to a different venue. But what seems to have done no harm to the show itself is reported to have had a devastating effect on Bingley businesses. What is traditionally one of their busiest days was this year one of their quietest.

This is something the show organisers must bear in mind when deciding the venue for next year's show. Bingley Show is not just about what happens in the show ground. It is an event which belongs to the whole town.

The organisers clearly need to carefully consider all opinions about the success or otherwise of this year's new venue, and that includes taking into account how the town's traders fit into the show picture.