The dates for the new NEC furniture show, The January Furniture Show, have been brought forward to 13-15th January 2015 (Tuesday to Thursday), to better accommodate the international exhibition calendar.
The event will take place in halls 1,2,3 and 3A of the Birmingham NEC.
Exhibition organisers Laraine Janes and Theresa Raymond say that in arranging the new-style, new-format show they have taken on board exhibitor concerns about avoiding the same dates as the international furnishings show, imm cologne, to be held from January 19-25th, 2015.
Says Theresa: “The January Furniture Show will be a new-look, new-feel event that will provide a platform for the furnishings sector to showcase its products. While January clearly remains the preferred time, we’ve slightly altered the timings to reflect the changing needs of exhibitors – and that includes moving away from a traditional weekend start now that Sunday trading has become a critical fixture for retailers.
“We’ve also reduced the show’s duration from four days to three, again to reflect the evolving preferences of exhibitors. And to ensure the event is a tightly-focused, relevant show, we’ve adjusted the way in which the halls will be used.”
As co-directors of Furniture and Gift Fairs Ltd, Theresa and Laraine have collectively worked in the furniture industry for over 60 years, delivering furniture shows in all major UK venues. They officially confirmed their intention to launch a new January Furniture Show at the NEC earlier this month.
Confirmation of the new dates has drawn swift endorsement from the trade. Says exhibitor Richard Stamp, of Richard Stamp Agencies: “I am absolutely over the moon that Furniture Fair and the NEC have listened to the trade, to do what the trade needs. Hopefully exhibitors, manufacturers and retailers will appreciate what they have done and will support this new exhibition to the utmost.”
Robert Lee of retailer Lee Longlands adds: “I’m really glad the new organisers have changed the date to avoid the Cologne show. It would be impossible for buyers attending both the Cologne and Birmingham shows to dedicate enough time to suppliers if both shows were held at the same time. Good luck to the new Birmingham show organisers in trying to get the Birmingham show back to what it used to be.”
