SUCCESS FOR MANCHESTER CENTRAL CARAVAN & MOTORHOME SHOW 2011
The Manchester Central Caravan and Motorhome show took place from 20-23 January with a bang and celebrated a 25% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers.
A phenomenal 22,235 people visited this year as a direct result of improved content at the show, which featured 40% more exhibitors than in 2010 and provided a huge draw for all visitors. Over 100 different companies exhibited including many new exhibitors. There were many more attractions on offer including a cookery and expert talks theatre, farmers’ market and Gulliver’s KidZone which made for a great family day out.
Sam North, show director, said “Yet again we have delivered a fantastic show for our exhibitors and customers alike. There’s a huge caravanning community in the North West and we believe this is only the beginning of greater things to come. Of those clients we target to rebook onsite, 80% confirmed at least the same size stand for the 2012 show if not bigger meaning we’ll be packed out again for 2012.”
Swift Group, Britain’s largest caravan and motorhome manufacturer, recorded sales of £2.5 million in just four days. Nick Page, commercial director of the Swift Group, said “The Manchester Show gave a very encouraging start to 2011. The number of people attending the event was well up on last year and provided a clear demonstration that people are still thinking about buying one of our products. With £1.5 million worth of touring caravan sales and £750,000 worth of motorhome sales, figures indicate that the market for this year will remain positive.”
The Camping and Caravanning Club’s promotions manager, Michelle Jewell, said “The show’s continued growth was reflected in our membership recruitment figures over the four days, which surpassed last year’s total.” She adds “domestic holidays remain a popular option, helped by the ever growing cost of air travel. In addition, the continued expansion and development of our site network has enabled us to continue to offer campers innovative new ways to explore the great outdoors in locations that are closer to home.”
Gareth Townsend, managing director of Roy Kellett Caravans, commented “We wanted to create a holiday home village atmosphere with potential customers free to view the homes on display and talk to representatives from the manufacturers and some of the most prestigious leisure parks in North Wales. With the official figures for visitors being up by 25% from 2010, we have already invested in the show for 2012.”
The show is developing even more content for next year and is continuing to take bookings for 2012. Dates are confirmed as 19th – 22nd January.
