The organiser of the British Pig and Poultry Fair has moved the event to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham to avoid downsizing the popular show.
The biennial event will take place at the NEC from 2024 after the Royal Agricultural Society of England (Rase) was told the space available at its current home, Stoneleigh Park would be cut by one-third.
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The 2022 event hosted 338 exhibitors, occupied over 18,000sq m and welcomed more than 7,500 visitors across two days (10-11 May).
Fair organiser Alice Bell said: “The fair has been struggling to obtain the amount of quality event space required in recent years.
“With one-third of the space from 2022 no longer available for 2024 and beyond, we were left with the choice of significantly compromising the event or moving venue.”
Ms Bell added that the change was “long overdue” and would ensure the important industry event could continue in a format that works and with the content visitors want to see.
‘Highly valued’
“We know the fair is highly valued by the sectors, and the importance of bringing the industry together has been proven over many years,” she said.
“Feedback from the 2022 fair demonstrated that despite the challenging market conditions, it was highly beneficial to get producers and suppliers together to share ideas and see what is new.”
Danny Johnson, general manager at feed company ABN, said: “ABN has partnered the fair since 2008 and it is such an important event.
“This move will allow the pig and poultry sectors to gain valuable insight, share ideas and see new technologies, all under one roof. It is vital that the opportunity for our whole industry to come together is maintained and we are proud to continue our long-term support.”
