NEWS | Hereford and Leominster both prepare to welcome the May Fair in the coming weeks

Showmen and women from around the country will make their way to Leominster and Hereford for the well visited and popular Mayfairs.

The streets come alive during each three-day festival as thousands flock into the town and city centre, including from other counties, to enjoy the festival atmosphere, the heart-stopping rides, side-shows, food stalls and ancient ceremonies

Leominster fair will take place on 27 to 29 April inclusive and Hereford on 2 to 4 May inclusive.

Abie Morris, on behalf of the Morris family, said: “We are pleased to now be able to return to the town of Leominster so we can provide the pleasure and enjoyment that the fair gives to so many people. We look forward to seeing you and giving you a time to remember with the many attractions we will be bringing!”

Henry Studt, Chairman of the South Wales and Northern Ireland Section of The Showman’s Guild, said: “We are proud to present Hereford’s Mayfair once again. A warm welcome awaits when you join us at this historic and impressive traditional fun fair. Come and join us for excitement and laughter from riding the heart-stopping white knuckle rides to bumper to bumper fun, not forgetting the thrills of the children and traditional rides. From rides to stalls we have it all.”

Further details on the fairs can be found on the Herefordshire Council website.

Leominster Fair takes place in part of Broad Street, as well as Corn Street, Victoria Street and Corn Square which are closed to traffic during this time.

For Hereford, to ensure the smooth running of the event, some of the city streets will also be closed during the period of the fair.

The usual roads to be closed to traffic to accommodate the fair will be:

• Commercial Street
• High Town
• St. Peters Street
• St. Owen Street
• Broad Street (below junction of West Street and East Street)
• King Street
• Bridge Street

Some parking/loading/unloading areas will also be closed in Union Street and in the streets mentioned above. Closure times will be from 5pm on Monday 1 May through to 7am on Friday 5 May.

In addition, Widemarsh Street (from its junction with Blueschool/Newmarket Street) and High Street will be closed to traffic 4.30-11 pm on the evenings of 2, 3 and 4 May. This will make High Street a safer pedestrian area for fair goers.

All of these streets will be accessible to emergency vehicles.

Advance warning signs will be on all routes leading towards the city centre advising of the closures. 

All of Gwynne Street will be two-way during the fair and motorists are asked to take extra care if using this route

All of the other city centre roads will operate as near normal as possible.

There may also be additional congestion for traffic using St Martins Street for access onto the A49 during the period of the fair.

Herefordshire Council urges drivers to be patient and considerate on the roads during the period of the fairs.