NURSERYindustry Voice Spanning five decades and stronger than ever


show the incredible success it is today.” Time soon proved that retailers loved attending Harrogate, with many commenting that it was the place where all of their major buying took place and when forced to choose between London and Harrogate, the majority voted with their feet and headed north.


Now boasting over 200 exhibitors, filling nine halls of the Harrogate International Centre and attracting more than 2,500 visitors each year, few of us are aware of the humble beginnings of Harrogate International Nursery Fair which was first established in 1968.


The show began as Harrogate Pram Fair – the brainchild of three nursery manufacturers which have since ceased trading. In the early days it was a small regional affair catering for retailers in the north of England and had a sister show which took place at the Bloomsbury Centre and the Russell Hotel in London the week before Harrogate. Robert Anslow, Harrogate International Nursery Fair director, said: “Initially, Harrogate Pram Fair was a very small event utilising three Harrogate hotels – The Crown, The George and The Swan – each October, having been in London the week before and exhibitors packing up their stands and travelling to Harrogate to show their products to retailers in the north of England.” In the early 1980s, Harrogate Pram Fair’s


founder’s decided to call it a day – times were changing and the companies involved simply didn’t have the time or resources to dedicate to the show. Rodney Cotterill of Pegasus Toys approached Robert Anslow, who at the time was working for his family business Charlesworth, and David Scacchetti of Mamas and Papas and together they formed a committee to keep the Harrogate show going. The London arm of the show was taken over by the British Baby Products Association (now the Baby Products Association) and for many years after, the two nursery trade shows ran as two regional shows. Harrogate Pram Fair moved to March rather than October, but still there were two similar events vying for the same audience.


Harrogate International Nursery Fair is now the UK’s only nursery trade show – and as its new name suggests – attracts not only retailers and buyers from across the UK, but from around Europe and worldwide too. Almost all of the major UK manufacturers and suppliers of baby products have returned and numerous new international exhibitors have signed up too. In addition, this is the second time that ABC Kids Expo returns with a North American Pavilion – which excitingly will be staged in the historic Royal Hall at the Harrogate International Centre utilised by the show for the very first time. Robert continues: “Harrogate International Nursery Fair is a very different entity to Harrogate Pram Fair in the 1960s and 1970s. In those days, the majority of the products were British made and were predominantly larger items such as carriage built prams, pushchairs and nursery furniture. Today the show is pretty much a one-stop-shop providing absolutely anything and everything a pre-school child could need. Every year I am amazed by the diversity and innovatory nature of some of the new products arriving at the show. The Queens Pavilion which generally houses smaller companies with brand new product launches is always an interesting port of call for me


as it proves the creative and evolutionary nature of the nursery industry.” The Baby Products Association now embraces Harrogate International Nursery Fair and the two organisations are united in their missions to encourage and support the British nursery industry. The BPA’s two industry Awards initiatives are hosted by Harrogate with four finalists of the Concept & Innovation Awards presenting new baby product ideas with winners announced at the show.


Harrogate International Nursery Fair is now the UK’s only nursery trade show – and as its new name suggests – attracts not only retailers and buyers from across the UK, but from around Europe and worldwide too.


Also, all exhibitors at Harrogate are invited to enter the BPA’s Baby and Nursery Trade Awards (BANTAs) which highlight outstanding products in terms of value for money, consumer appeal, safety and functionality.


The winners of these will be presented with


trophies at the hugely popular Harrogate Party & BANTA Awards evening, which this year promises


Robert explains: “Harrogate show had grown rapidly – we quickly outgrew using Harrogate hotels for venues and transferred the event to the Harrogate International Centre. Then, in the mid-1990s, the BPA decided that there was only room for one nursery trade show in the UK and consequently the 12 largest exhibitors which had been utilising the Harrogate event for many years– pulled out.


Robert adds: “Overnight, Harrogate was depleted from a thriving trade show and favourite port of call for nursery retailers across the UK to an exhibition struggling to fill one and a half halls. At the time we thought it was the end of the road for Harrogate, but thanks to the support of many good friends who offered their expertise and time, we managed to forge an incredibly efficient and resourceful team which has gone on to make the


a fabulously entertaining event with a Robbie Williams and Ollie Murs tribute act. This year, for the first time, Harrogate International Fair will be hosting an exciting new seminar programme including subjects pertinent to suppliers and retailers in the nursery industry. These include the new European i-Size Regulation; how blogging can boost your retail business, latest industry market trends and Intellectual Property and Employment Law. Full details of these will be available on the website at www.nurseryfair.com very soon. Adrian Sneyd, show organiser for the last four years, was part of the Harrogate Nursery Fair team for more than 25 years before making it his full time career. He has seen immense change over the years and recommends that visitors to the show take advantage of the preferential accommodation rates offered by Reservation Highway (full details on the show’s website), stating: “Gone are the days when visitors could whip around the halls and see everything in just a day. We now have over 200 exhibitors filling nine huge halls and to do the show justice a minimum of two days is required. Hotel accommodation is very reasonable in Harrogate starting from around £60 per night so it makes perfect sense for retailers and buyers to spread their visit over two or three days and also take advantage of the seminars and other networking opportunities available. For those staying in town on Monday 24th March, once again the organising team cordially invites everyone to join them at the Majestic Hotel for free drinks, entertainment and midnight snacks from 10pm onwards.”


If you haven’t already, don’t forget to pre-register on the website at


www.nurseryfair.com for free admission to the show and to avoid long queues on arrival.


www.nursery-industry.co.uk page 9


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