The original Stockman’s Café at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern has been a hub for livestock exhibitors and visitors for generations and, following a phased investment project, is now open, bringing an exciting, modern, and spacious facility to life for all exhibitors and visitors. 

Stockman’s Café has been remodelled with a fresh new look while preserving its role at the heart of the shows as a place of comfort, connection, and celebration. Now boasting a 200-seat capacity, the café will host more than 25 events annually, including the Royal Three Counties Show, canine competitions, flea markets and Busfest - the world’s largest VW Campervan gathering.

The café is a real favourite with regular visitors and has long been a familiar haven at the Three Counties Showground, serving as a shelter and a place to connect during major events. For over 30 years, the café has welcomed shepherds, pig farmers, herdsmen, and exhibitors as a place to gather, eat, and socialise. The much-needed redevelopment has given the café a modern look but also ensures it continues to welcome today’s visitors and generations to come.

To help fund the build, supporters, show-goers and members of the community are invited to ‘buy a brick and leave your mark'. The fundraising initiative invites people to buy a brick for a minimum donation of £100, which will become part of the cafe's story and create a lasting tribute. Each brick can be engraved with a name and short message and will form a legacy wall in the new Stockman’s Cafe. Almost £300,000 has already been raised towards the project, with additional fundraising continuing to help cover the full cost of construction. 

Many of the bricks that have been purchased so far are by individuals or companies with a longstanding connection to the showground. Some bricks carry heartfelt tributes to loved ones, while others recognise businesses with long-standing associations with the venue and reflect a wide network of valued partnerships. Many farming families have shown their support, often choosing to commemorate both family names and herd names with brick inscriptions which are unique to the farm. The legacy wall ensures that every brick tells a story, creating a meaningful legacy for generations to come.

Supporters can also contribute to the project by making donations, which not only helps bring the new café to life but also future projects at the showground. Those who have shown significant support include the UK charity The Kildare Trust, which was founded by farmers and philanthropists Phyllis and Jim Richards. The late Mrs Richards was a devoted visitor to the shows and passionate about supporting young people, particularly in agriculture and rural sectors. The trust provides financial support to many projects within Worcestershire and Herefordshire. 

Since acquiring the showground in 1957, the Three Counties Agricultural Society has undertaken a long-term programme of investing in permanent infrastructure to better serve its community. Today, the 90-acre showground in Malvern, which welcomes over 1 million visitors through its gates each year, has over 10,000sqm of purpose-built indoor space, including four large exhibition halls, a conference centre and 240 horse stables. As a charity, the Three Counties Agricultural Society relies on fundraising and donations to help support its charitable objectives to promote agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture within Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and to continue supporting generations of farmers and those in the rural and countryside community.

For further information on the project, or to make a donation, please visit the website.