It's all change for the Bristol Flower Show this summer – new dates, new venue and a new approach as a "touring" event.

Traditionally, the show – which used to draw huge crowds – was held annually on the Downs in early August.

But the event was rained off in 2007 and cancelled altogether in 2008.

This year it is set to be staged at Ashton Court, despite critics' misgivings, earlier in the summer, on the weekend of Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19.

And the plan is to tour the flower show around various city sites in the following years.

But not everyone is happy.

Former Lord Mayor Peter Abraham told the Bristol Post: "I'm very upset that the show's going from the Downs.

"The people of Bristol love it. They want to see it on the Downs.

"Ashton Court is in North Somerset, which already has lots of flower shows happening in the area.

"The turnout for a show will depend on the weather.

"But exhibitor numbers could be reduced because of the greater difficulty of getting to Ashton Court.

"If there are fewer exhibitors of flowers and vegetables, the organisers could try filling the gap with more side shows and funfair-style activities.

"That would make it much less of a real flower show, whereas in the past this event has become a sort of Chelsea of the West."

A report last summer by a sub-committee of the Bristol Downs Committee – which is made up of councillors and Merchant Venturers – suggested the new scheme.

It said the show could "rotate" around various sites, possibly including Eastville Park, Hengrove Park and the Harbourside.

This would "enable a wider range of communities to engage with the event and to promote a more inclusive approach," it said.

Councillor Steve Comer, whose ward includes Eastville Park, said at the time: "I'm sure there would be a lot of people who would attend or enter shows at these venues who might not go to the Downs."

Joint organisers the Royal Bath and West of England Society and the city council are believed to have lost £25,000 when the three-day show had to be cancelled in 2007.

The Royal Bath and West of England Society did hold talks last year with the city council about running the next Bristol Flower Show, but this would be as a contractor and not as a risk-sharing partner.

Chief executive Jane Guise said that in 2005 about 10,000 people visited the flower show over the three days, dropping to about 7,000 the following year, when the show was affected by rain.

She said attendance of around 15,000 was desirable.

Last year showground manager Alan Lyons, of the Royal Bath and West of England Society, told the Downs Committee: "The more you can make it a Bristol show for Bristol people rather than a Bristol Chelsea, the better."

In September, plans to "tour" the show around the city were approved. Down committee members also voted to transfer the financial burden to the council.

A city council spokesman said: "We are delighted to have secured the return of the flower show this year, at the wonderful location of Ashton Court.

"We are confident that, like other popular events held there, such as the kite and balloon festivals, it will prove a real success."

No one from either the city council or the Royal Bath and West was available to respond to the criticism.