The Future of the NSA Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground

Joint Statement from RWAS and NSA
The Future of the NSA Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground
13 November 2024
We are pleased to announce the outcome of a recent meeting between the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) and the National Sheep Association (NSA) regarding the future of the NSA Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground.
Both parties are proud that the NSA has had a prominent presence on the showground for many years, but the existing building is reaching a point of being no longer fit for purpose and requires significant investment and full replacement.
After thorough discussions and consideration of various options, and the renewal of NSA’s outline planning permission for the building, it has been decided that the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) will take the lead in replacing the building, with a view of creating a new Welsh Sheep Centre (working title). This has come about following a major master-planning study of the showground in which the RWAS has identified several key projects it wishes to progress. These include securing additional viewing space for the shearing competitions, as the current facility is becoming insufficient to accommodate the growing audience it attracts. In addition, there is a need for a permanent carcass hall for the Winter Fair and other complimentary developments.
This strategic approach has led RWAS to view the existing footprint of the NSA Pavilion, Shearing Centre and sheep buildings as a unified complex. Work is now underway to prepare initial drawings to create a modern, multi-purpose exhibition space that meets the needs of the showground’s evolving events.
We recognise that the current lease agreement for the Pavilion will need to come to an end. However, both RWAS and NSA are committed to working closely together over the coming months to explore partnership opportunities for this project, ensuring that the NSA maintains its prominent presence on the showground.
We are also exploring the potential for incorporating additional features that would align with the interests and priorities of the sheep industry. These could include an educational element to inform the public about various aspects of the sheep sector, such as:
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The journey of wool from field to fabric
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Information on different sheep breeds
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The field-to-plate journey of lamb and other sheep products
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A training facility that could host workshops, seminars and demonstrations
Further work is needed to fully explore these opportunities, and the exact timelines for the redevelopment are still to be determined. However, we will provide more details in due course. In the meantime, we can confirm that there will be no impact for the Royal Welsh Show in 2025 and we will continue with business as usual for this coming year.
We look forward to working together on this important initiative and appreciate the ongoing support and positive working relationship between RWAS and NSA.