The long-awaited upshift in the economy appears to be spreading to the furniture trade after five years in the doldrums. At the beginning of day four of Interiors UK in Birmingham (Wednesday) there appears to be rapidly increasing enthusiasm for a resurrected furniture show in January 2015, under the new ownership of the Manchester Furniture Show organisers Laraine Janes and Theresa Raymond.
There was also an increasing demand from exhibitors and visitors alike for more consolidation, unity and cohesion within the industry over the coming years - especially with regard to marketing platforms.
The number of visitors to the Furniture News stand was boosted this year with a very comfortable stand in hall 4 and the display of a Porsche racing car alongside our regular complimentary cafe which - all part of a successful subscription drive by the team headed by Elaine Smith. "This year's event has been a very positive experience for Furniture News," says Elaine, "with significant subscription sales and increasing interest in our print and website offerings."
The main topics of discussion in our cafe were the various merits of UBM's May Design Series event taking place in May at Excel London this year and the new three-day event in January next year.