English Riviera Airshow gets cash boost - but more is needed for full take off

The showpiece English Riviera Airshow has been given a sponsorship boost - but more is needed to get the event fully off the ground.

Torbay Council has announced four new sponsors for the 2024 event which was in danger of being pulled all together.

Now it appears the show will go ahead but in what format is still dependent on more sponsorship coming in.

Persimmon Homes, Landscove Holiday Park and Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat, and Torbay Pharmaceuticals, have pledged and signed up for the show's Gold sponsorship package, and Cavanna Homes to the Silver package.

The new sponsors join the key event partners Torbay Council and the English Riviera BID Company as well marketing partner Bigwave Marketing, as part of a collective of local organisations, businesses and people committed to bringing the community ‘Your English Riviera Airshow’. They are also joined by several infrastructure providers as supporting sponsors, who will be announced shortly.

Stacey Harris, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes South West, said: “Persimmon is delighted to be a sponsor at this year’s English Riviera Airshow through our Community Champions scheme – knowing it to be a Devon favourite, we are happy to be a part of its wide support. In all the areas we build – including our new Inglewood site in Paignton – we want to leave a positive and lasting legacy in the community beyond our high-quality and affordable homes, and a key element of that is doing our bit to ensure much-loved local events and organisations will still be there for the residents of those sites for years to come”.

The English Riviera Airshow is due to take place on Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2.

Applications for display teams to headline the English Riviera Airshow have been submitted, with the outcome expected in the spring. If the request to bring some of the RAF’s most loved and noisy display teams is successful, the flight display will cost approximately £120,000. This cost does not include staffing, essential event infrastructure or on the ground event village activity.

The council says failure to cover the event’s cost through sponsorship and donations could mean the event is scaled back which means less benefit to the local economy. Research following the 2023 event revealed for every £1 invested, it generated £15.56, most of which supported businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector.

One of the crucial elements of the 2024 Airshow is to incorporate as many local suppliers, traders, volunteers, and businesses as possible. The Airshow is inviting and offering businesses the opportunity to partner with the event through sponsorship packages, or by offering their assistance in the form of essential event infrastructure such as security, fencing, or other site amenities. Those who join the team as partners, sponsors or offer in kind services will receive customised pre-event, event, and post-event exposure, and valuable brand recognition.

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services at Torbay Council, said; “Keeping the English Riviera Airshow local, is what the 2024 event is all about to ensure it is the people, residents and businesses of Torbay that benefit from the event the most.

“The clock is ticking, with time running out for team behind delivering the English Riviera Airshow to lock in much needed financial and community support.

“With other local Airshows fully supported by the community, together with the support of people and businesses in Torbay, we can ‘take off together’ and deliver an unforgettable experience that captivates audiences and showcases the beautiful English Riviera to the UK and beyond!

“On behalf of the English Riviera Airshow team – thank you for your support.”

A council spokesman added: “Whilst much needed sponsorship has been secured, more support and sponsorship are needed from businesses and the community. The level of support generated will determine the overall scale of the event. In essence, the more support generated, the more display teams and experiences we can give the community and visitors”.  

Support options are available for small businesses and anyone who enjoys watching the English Riviera Airshow through either the ‘Patron’ or ‘Friends of’ schemes. Support options are priced at either £15 or £65. Sponsorship packages for medium and large businesses start at £950.00. Event branding opportunities starting at £250.

A range of pitch sizes and costs by location are available in the event village on Paignton Green.

Local or regional trade, exhibition, vending and concession businesses, particularly in the following industries is encouraged to contact airshow@torbay.gov.uk to discuss the opportunities available.

Details of all the ways to get involved can also be found at: https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/