Portrush airshow will go ahead

The September event, which attracts up to 200,000 visitors each year, had been cancelled for the first time this year due to a lack of funding.

Coleraine Borough Council normally contributes about 70,000 to 80,000 to the event and the rest comes from corporate sponsors, but businesses had reduced their contributions this year because of the economic climate.

However, during a special meeting of Coleraine Borough Council last night, the Chamber of Commerce confirmed that a number of businesses in the borough had pledged their support to the airshow.

In the light of this announcement, councillors unanimously voted to bring the airshow back.

Speaking to the News Letter after the meeting, UUP MLA David McClarty said news of the airshow cancellation had provoked a huge local reaction.

"The decision to cancel had been taken in the first place to keep the rate rise to a bare minimum, and because many businesses who would have supported it were under financial pressure this year.

"In my 20 years as a councillor, this is the biggest reaction to a subject, other than a human tragedy, that I can ever remember," he said.

Mr McClarty said the Chamber of Commerce had raised "tens of thousands of pounds" for the airshow, which had now been banked.

He added: "The cancellation seems to have galvanised the business community to save the show." However, he confirmed that the event is still seeking a main sponsor.

Mr McClarty also revealed it was confirmed last Friday that the Red Arrows, who are one of the main attractions at the show, will perform this year.

The council will still have some involvement in this year's event, with its staff working to ensure the smooth running of the show.

It is yet to be decided whether this year's airshow will be a one day or weekend event.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Sandy Gilkinson, said the airshow announcement showed "tremendous spirit in a difficult economic period".

The good news will delight the 3,076 people who backed an online campaign to save the airshow.

Facebook users including Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister and DUP MLAs Trevor Clarke and Jonathan Craig had joined a group called Bring Back The Portrush Airshow 2010.

Comments on the page reflected the disappointment felt across the Province at the cancellation of the airshow.

Some of the comments left include: "Give us all something to look forward to for goodness sake, precious little else given to ratepayers," and, "I saw the airshow in 2008. Unbelievable! I know times are hard but the show is such a big morale-boost and crowd puller."