Interiors UK closed its doors last Wednesday, recording 21,114 visitors (subject to audit) to the four-day show. With over 500 brands exhibiting – an expansion on 2013 – visitor numbers were up 15.09% year-on-year, after snow hindered last year's efforts.
The 29th edition of the event was the last to be held at the Birmingham NEC, as organiser UBM attempts to relocate the bulk of exhibitors to the May Design Series event at London's ExCeL, from 18-20th May. A replacement, rival event running from 18-20th January 2014 at the NEC, the January Furniture Show, has also been announced.
Suzie Ager, brand director of Interiors UK, says; “This year’s Interiors UK has been an outstanding success and I am hugely proud of the team that helped to deliver such a fantastic finale. It has reaffirmed that there are some incredibly innovative interior designers and retailers operating across the country who know the importance of discovering new brands at events such as ours that will keep them ahead of their competitors. We were incredibly pleased with the support we received on site for our relocation to London. With this we are excited to be able to build upon both the heritage of the interiors show and its popularity, uniting an enviable portfolio of exhibitors and visitors, to present an even better proposition with The Furniture Show at May Designs Series.”
The exhibition attracted representatives from across key multiple, independent and contract retailers with the likes of Lee Longlands, Fishpools, Taskers, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Dreams, C P Hart and Zaha Hadid Architects in attendance.
Furniture News encountered a great deal of positivity from retailers and suppliers at the event, and will keep readers closely informed regarding new show developments. Expect a full review of Interiors UK in the March issue.
