Who's off to the Midland?

[Craig-P]

I heard it’ll be the last one at Weston Park too, so if that’s true it really is the end of an era.
What these shows need is a drastic reduction in the price to rent a stall/pitch.
If the all in cost of a small pitch in the Airgun Expo was say £500, there’d be triple the number of traders there and the small, cottage industries or people who think they may have a saleable product or service, would be more tempted to book a stall and display. The larger stalls would also then be available for less money as more smaller stalls would be booked.
The owners / organisers would make just as much money, if not more. They could actually increase the entry fee if there was triple the amount of traders exhibiting. I always went with the attitude of, ‘stuff the entry price, it’s a once a year event and I’m going to enjoy it’.

But that became increasingly difficult to do when 80% of the stuff on show was cheap Chinese tools and snide clothing.

It’s a shame it went the way it did.

[Flashash]

It’s not really the cost of the space which puts exhibitors off. It’s the aggravation, discomfort and cost of set up. And for what at the end of the day? In summary, not very profitable and a pain in the arse! People have better things to do on a weekend these days.

[venoman]

I went yesterday first time for about 6yrs as im always abroad when it on, very poor not just the shooting side but the rest of the show as well . More like a big open air market than a game show.

[Craig-P]

It’s not really the cost of the space which puts exhibitors off. It’s the aggravation, discomfort and cost of set up. And for what at the end of the day? In summary, not very profitable and a pain in the arse! People have better things to do on a weekend these days.

The tent that I used to work in cost £6000. Then there’s wages for the people who work in it. Then there’s transportation of stock. Then there’s loss through the gangs of thieves that always haunt the place - that’s an awful lot money to recoup before the business has made even.
Lowering the cost of the pitch would be a great first step in the right direction to breathe some life back into it all.

[ian321]

Used to go every year and loved it! Not sure exactly what year it was when I noticed it to go down hill but I think it was around 2009? Went a few years after that and it just got worse and worse, not been for about 3years now.
The British shooting show is for me! Really good show. Let’s just hope it stays this way, without all the market stall stands

[sandyman1963]

Gave up going three years ago not many Discounts’s to be had. More like a market in my eyes.
Shame it used to be a Big ever time in the family Callander.

I think the days of this type of show are numbered unless the organisers get a grip make pitches cheaper and get i the big boys from the shooting industry. It can be done I’d rather look at guns all day long than looking at handbags a fat clothing stalls.

[R30Jeff]

Just got back, glad I got in for nowt or I'd have been a smidge miffed.
Very little to keep an interest in, a whole 3 or 4 tables in the knife makers tent / expo, still I got my usual bag if chorizos so not a totally waster afternoon.

[Matt]

Been today, if I wasn't going with family for a day out I wouldn't have gone, airgun side of things waste of time. Things usual overpriced, expensive food, drinks and fairground rides...I think the comments of it turning into a large open air market are quite true.

However, as a family experience, my daughter had a lovely time with the guys doing the falconry school and I also grabbed an amazing video of a hawk landing on her arm.

I Got to see the guys shooting the European ft champs, also bumped into a number of the younger generation who were into target sprint - the enthusiasm these guys and girls have for the sport is refreshing and if we can keep this interest in shooting and maybe see them move across to other shooting disciplines then hopefully air rifle competition shooting has a great future.

So all in all, if you are going to the midland for dedicated airguns I'd say forget it, goto British shooting show or northern shooting show...for a good day out with family, all be it expensive, then the midland serves a need.

Matt

[Shug]

I heard it’ll be the last one at Weston Park too

Could you elaborate, Craig? Where have you heard it's heading for?

I have been every year since 1996, I drove down to have a look at Theoben Rapid 7 as no one up here stocked them and I wanted to see one in the flesh before I spent what was a fair amount of cash for me on a rifle I had never even seen. I even managed the 550 miles annual round trip the year of the fuel shortage. It's definitely not the show it used to be but I always look at it as a weekend away for me and the wife and I will probably be there next year as usual.


Shug,

[Craig-P]

Could you elaborate, Craig? Where have you heard it's heading for?

That’s all I’ve heard from a friend in the trade, Shug. I don’t know anymore I’m afraid.

[Shug]

Thanks Craig, just need to wait and see what happens. Better not book the hotel as early next year just in case.


Shug.