PATS is moving its September show from Harrogate to the Telford International Centre in 2015. The event will take place a fortnight later than this year's show on Sunday, September 27, and Monday, September 28, 2015.
“We’re really excited to reveal our new plans,” said organiser Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions. “We’ve had six years at Harrogate but Telford International Centre is the ideal venue to enable us to grow further and attract a growing audience and increase international visitor numbers.”
The decision to move venues has been made after extensive external research revealed there are a number of issues concerning Harrogate as PATS continues to grow in size and stature.
The research highlighted that build-up and breakdown is challenging for exhibitors, with very limited access to the halls. The exhibition halls are no longer suitable and three separate halls, although linked are not ideal for optimum visitor flow. Another concern is that parking for both visitors and exhibitors is expensive and limited.
As PATS becomes ever more popular – this weekend’s event has attracted a record number of 170 exhibitors, 44 of which are newcomers – it would have to extend into a fourth linked hall or move to a new venue.
PATS believes the move to Telford International Centre is the best and most exciting option for many reasons. The venue is a purpose-built exhibition centre, with a light airy feel, ideally situated on the edge of the town. It has superb exhibitor access for build-up and breakdown and free parking for 1,300 vehicles right by the venue.
There is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets in and around the venue with three hotels on site offering 338 bedrooms. A further 325 bedrooms are available within a five-minute walk and 1,000 just a 15-minute drive away.
“We will now be in a purpose-built exhibition hall with great access and parking, easy build up and breakdown, reasonably priced hotels, and no ‘mad’ big venue type pricing, or any ‘hidden’ extras,” added Gordon.
Telford itself is ideally located between the UK’s second and third largest cities of Manchester and Birmingham with populations of 2.5 million and 2.4 million respectively, and it has the potential to attract even more home-based and international visitors to the show with easier access by plane, train and car. England’s two largest international airports (outside of London) are also ideally situated for Telford – Birmingham with 110 daily arrivals and Manchester with almost 200.
The Shropshire town is also close to Ironbridge Gorge, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and a World Heritage site, making it the perfect location for visitors wishing to combine a spot of sightseeing with the trip to PATS.
“This move marks a new era for PATS,” said Gordon. “The UK pet market is the second largest in Europe and we need a venue that reflects the scale of the trade. Telford International Centre fits the bill perfectly.”
PATS Sandown will continue and will be held on March 17-18, 2015.
