WORK has begun on a new £10m state-of-the-art venue at the home of the Great Yorkshire Show.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has begun the demolition of Exhibition Hall 1 at the Yorkshire showground in Harrogate.

It will make way for the new building and, although completion is not scheduled until late spring next year, bookings already being taken

The new hall will offer a versatile space of 4,320sq metres to suit a wide range of events from blue chip company conferences to large dinners and exhibitions or sporting events.

It will also have a café, large foyer, offices and dedicated workshop/seminar space. The building will adjoin an existing hall, giving a total area of 6,270 sq metres.

The society’s deputy chief executive Heather Parry said the development was the largest in their history.

“There’s so much potential in this development for us, our region and beyond,” she added.

“The economic impact that events on the showground generate per annum is currently £47m and this new project will see this figure increase significantly.”

A temporary structure is being erected to create a temporary exhibition venue while the work takes place.

Miss Parry added: “We have a beautiful location, which lends itself perfectly to a range of events and the new hall will become the jewel in our crown.”