With rising costs and competition from other forms of entertainment Bertram Mills Circus is to end all touring shows.
The Bertram Mills Circus is famous for staging a Christmas show at the Olympia in London and big top tours around the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Currently on an Irish tour, the circus announces all under canvas shows will cease on 31 October 1964, the end of the present season. Apart from during wartime, 1965 will be the first year the circus has not toured since it began in 1929.
The Bertram Mills company faces rising operational costs for running a tented circus. There are also challenges from other forms of entertainment, television in particular.
It is understood the circus will remain in London, and all activities except travelling shows will be continued during the next season.
This footage shows circus elephants on parade along O'Connell Street in Dublin and Bertram Mills Circus staff raising the big top.
A 'Newsbeat' report broadcast on 8 October 1964. The footage shown here is mute.
In 1965 Bertram Mills Circus went into further decline. The 1966-1967 season was its last and the Bertram Mills Circus closed in 1967.
