The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has again teamed up with Business News Wales to create an online platform with the support of HSBC UK to showcase this year's Virtual Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

While coronavirus restrictions have stopped the 2020 event from taking place on the showground, the society is eager to celebrate the agricultural industry and its importance in food production, and create an elaborate Christmas market.

The online Christmas Market will include a directory of all last year’s trade stands for members and the general public to shop online from their favourite stalls and discover the unique gifts usually on offer at the Winter Fair.

The usual two-day event will become an online shopping experience like no other, with stalls opening for a six-week period, from the beginning of November to ensure that gifts purchased will arrive in time for Christmas.

HSBC UK’s regional agriculture director Euryn Jones commented: "As a principal sponsor of the Welsh Winter Fair from its very beginning back in 1990 we recognise the event’s important role in the Welsh farming calendar, and we are pleased to support the 2020 Virtual Winter Fair.

"While we are all disappointed not to be able to attend in person at the Royal Welsh Showground this year, we look forward to the innovative programme of activities that is being prepared and wish the organisers every success in staging a memorable online event.’

Not only will the virtual Winter Fair offer a platform for tradestands to engage with the society’s many year-on-year visitors, it will provide another opportunity to display the agricultural industry and educate the general public about agriculture, Welsh produce and the environment.

Mark Powney, managing director of Business News Wales, commented: "As well as delivering this year’s Virtual Winter Fair experience to members and spectators, our production team will also share all sessions with our own daily audience of more than 20,000, putting the show in front of a new business audience this year. Our video, graphics, editorial and web development teams are working around the clock to ensure this year’s show is a digital success.’

If you would like to become a sponsor or wonder how you can get involved in the 2020 virtual Winter Fair contact requests@rwas.co.uk