Independents Hail Vital Opportunities Presented By The Great Yorkshire Show

This article originally appeared in the Yorkshire Post on 14th July 2023 authored by Michael Crossland with an interview undertaken with Dan Lowe who is a joint owner of Nigel Tyas Limited.

Dan Lowe first visited the Great Yorkshire Show when he was a third year apprentice, making and fitting horseshoes with a forge. He was 21. Over a decade later, with many Great Yorkshire Shows under his belt, he has returned to showcase the South Yorkshire iron working business he owns with his brother. Nigel Tyas Ironwork is one of more than 1,000 businesses showcasing their products at the Great Yorkshire Show, proud to be featured at one of the region’s flagship events.

Entrepreneurs and craftspeople across the vast spectrum of businesses appearing at the show have spoken to The Yorkshire Post about their love of exhibiting at the annual event, and the vital opportunities it presents. Mr Lowe said: “I used to come here shoeing horses and making shoes, so to come with a business and be selling products that are still handmade means a lot to me. I’ve been to other shows around the country, and the Great Yorkshire Show is still one of the best. For us to be here and be able to show what we do, it's fantastic.”

Though Nigel Tyas Ironworks is only in its second year showcasing at the event, Mr Lowe feels that it is now a key event in the business calendar. It was only once he and his brother took over the business, filling the shoes of the eponymous ex-blacksmith Nigel Tyas, that the company began to exhibit at the show.

Mr Lowe added: “It's a great audience, and it's such a varied mix of people that come to events like this. They're not all going to be your customers, but they all get to see the great things that you make. For us, it's about getting the brand out there and letting people know that we produce hand made, high quality goods, and we do it locally.”  Mr Lowe’s sentiments are echoed by Yorkshire businesses across the event. 

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