Councillors have again questioned the financial viability of the International Ayr Show despite the popular event pulling in more than 250,000 visitors. ‌

Earlier this year, councillors heard a summarised economic impact assessment that detailed the cost of holding the event, how much that cost the council and how much it brought into the local economy. ‌

While the top line figures did not change, with a direct spend of £7.9m dropping to a £2.9m boost to local wages and businesses, the more detailed report revealed that less than 500 of the 250,000 plus crowd were asked to detail where they came from and how much money they had spent. ‌

This prompted councillors to question the validity of the assessment, with one saying that feedback from local traders along with his ‘gut feeling

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