‘Unfortunate clerical error’ to blame for ‘11th hour’ cancellation of grower show Gardenfest

A flower and garden festival that would usually attract thousands of people was suddenly cancelled, leaving guests “absolutely gutted” this week.

Guests and stallholders attending a popular Tasmanian garden and flower show were left “absolutely gutted” on Friday after the event was abruptly cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Gardenfest, a biannual event where thousands of visitors come to see plant, garden ornament and homeware stalls, was scheduled to be held at Entally Estate in the state’s north last weekend.

But just a day before guests and vendors were expected to pack the historic venue, built in 1819, organisers of the highly-anticipated festival unexpectedly called the show off.

Initially, guests were informed on social media that circumstances beyond organisers’ control led to the cancellation, but disappointed stallholders were given a different reason in a phone call.

Entally Estate was set to hold the event. Picture: Supplied

One of the affected small businesses Di-Vine Plants Tasmania revealed to their customers on Facebook issues with the company that leases the venue led to the scrapping of the event.

“We are so sorry to announce that Entally Gardenfest has been cancelled this weekend due to renewal issues with their lease agreement!!!” the stallholder informed its customers.

While leasing issues haven’t been confirmed by Entally Lodge Pty Ltd, the company’s general operations manager Shane Smith, told the ABC an “unfortunate clerical error” was to blame which prevented the Entally Estate from correctly insuring the festival.

“It had come to our attention that we weren‘t going to be able to be compliant with our insurance, there was a clerical error that occurred and [it’s] just unfortunate that we couldn’t proceed,” he told the ABC.

“We tried until the 11th hour to be able to push through with the event, but we just couldn‘t get across the line.”

The “clerical error” comes just months after the company’s Australian Businesses Number (ABN) was cancelled following a proposed deregistration notice that was issued on September 27 last year.

While Entally Lodge’s restaurant, bar, accommodation and events services have since shut up shop, the Entally Estate Historic site continued to welcome guests on a Wednesday to Saturday basis up until now.

“Sorry for the inconvenience. Entally House is temperary (sic) closed and will reopen soon,” a notice on the venue’s website reads, with no indication of when it will reopen its doors.

News.com.au has contacted Entally House to understand the reason behind its closure, however the company is yet to respond.

Gardenfest’s cancellation has since left several small businesses reeling after months of work went down the drain.

“Weeks of planning have been cancelled with little to no notice given!!” Di-Vine Plants Tasmania posted to Facebook.

“We feel that surely the administrators/custodians should have been more capable of negotiating the lease renewal weeks ago instead of leaving all their loyal exhibitors hanging out to dry with copious amounts of stock, disappointed and annoyed staff and non-refundable accommodation expenses.”

Entally Estate was hours away from showing off its Begonias when the event was cancelled. Picture: Facebook/Entally Estate

Another vendor said they felt sorry for the volunteers and organisers who put hours of work into arranging the event, only for it to be postponed until November.

“As a vendor who had booked a stall all I can say is I am absolutely gutted for Entally Estate organisers and volunteers – to have this cancellation put upon them the day before the Gardenfest is awful,” artist Fluid Existence said.

“I’m sure the Entally staff and volunteers are feeling quite upset by this and are most likely heartbroken right now.”

Meanwhile, others were shattered the venue couldn’t relocate the festival, arguing a marketplace elsewhere could have prevented dozens of stall owners from being out of pocket.

“Such a shame they couldn’t/didn‘t find a community hall nearby so at least there could have been a garden market,” one disappointed commenter who was planning to attend the event said.

Entally Estate is yet to say anymore about the event’s cancellation, however it has published a post to Facebook to thank everyone for their “kindness and support”.