alisdairs
New member
As someone who worked at the London BS for past 12 years and did the first year at Excel, before emigrating to the US, I'd be interested to hear people's views on attendance, etc now the Excel 'novelty' may have worn off ?
Any views on LIBS at Excel 2nd year around ?
- Thread starter alisdairs
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Danny_Labrador
Well-known member
I was there yesterday and the word was that at lunch time the attendance was 30% down. Most stands I talked to said that Tuesday was OK but Monday had been abysmal. However wait for the final tally its never that bad when reported by the organisers
I don’t like Excel where do you stay ? it’s a pain to get at and what do you do in the evening where you are staying ?.
I don’t like Excel where do you stay ? it’s a pain to get at and what do you do in the evening where you are staying ?.
AlexL
Member
I thought it was very good- However there was a massive fire at the Dartford tunnel on sunday which meant that the M25 was closed ALL DAY sunday, and partly closed Monday and Tuesday. I work in Dagenham - not 15 mins from excel and my 45 minute journey was 2.5 to 3 hours on monday and tuesday. Speaking to some people at the show it appears that the attendance was well down on these 3 days - propably something to do with the traffic.
Even on Saturday when all the car parks were bursting it didn't 'look' very busy inside - due to the enormous volume I guess. Lets also not forget the uncertainty with property values and the economy in general, so any tailing off of this years boat show business is not entirely due to it being at excell (if at all).
I still think that, on balance it is a much better, much more professional place than Earls court. It is much easier to drive to excel (almost impossible to park near earls court) and the DLR is excellent to Excel - OK it may be a bit more tricky than earls court by train, but not much - depends where you come from really. Besides Ken is about to kill earls court by putting it into the congestion zone as from next year.
Even on Saturday when all the car parks were bursting it didn't 'look' very busy inside - due to the enormous volume I guess. Lets also not forget the uncertainty with property values and the economy in general, so any tailing off of this years boat show business is not entirely due to it being at excell (if at all).
I still think that, on balance it is a much better, much more professional place than Earls court. It is much easier to drive to excel (almost impossible to park near earls court) and the DLR is excellent to Excel - OK it may be a bit more tricky than earls court by train, but not much - depends where you come from really. Besides Ken is about to kill earls court by putting it into the congestion zone as from next year.
StephenSails
Active member
Yesterday was my first visit to Excel. I managed to get there door to door in under 2 hours by train which would not have been possible when Earls Court was the venue. The venue is clean, tidy and healthy unlike Earls Court. I thought the one thing lacking was a bit of atmosphere but to be honest I think from a visitors point of view its nicer venue. I wont exhibit at these shows as they are far to expensive and the logistics (particularly London) make it very off putting for me. However if I was working at the show I would prefer Excel as it is healthy and tidy.
Overall I was very impressed, one reason yesterday might have been a bit lower on the gate was the forecast for some horid weather?
Overall I was very impressed, one reason yesterday might have been a bit lower on the gate was the forecast for some horid weather?
Goodge
Member
Went last Friday thinking it would be very busy as it was first day after preview day and people might still be off work.
Found it to be very quiet and got to see all that I needed in a fairly relaxed way.
At Southampton I usually go twice but I think once was enough for London this time around.
I think the layout is far better than Earls Court and much prefer it.
Coming into Waterloo by train I think the transport is fine. 20 mins on the Jubilee line , 2 stops on the DLR....easy.
From other comments I would say that business is definately down though.
Found it to be very quiet and got to see all that I needed in a fairly relaxed way.
At Southampton I usually go twice but I think once was enough for London this time around.
I think the layout is far better than Earls Court and much prefer it.
Coming into Waterloo by train I think the transport is fine. 20 mins on the Jubilee line , 2 stops on the DLR....easy.
From other comments I would say that business is definately down though.
Althorne
New member
I think its not quite as personal as Earls Court because it's more spread out and seemingly in two big connected halls. Being closer together gave a better feel. The added bonus of course is the water. Brings it alive if the weathers ok. The food is even worse than Earls Court which I would have thought impossible but another first for Excel. British shows of all types have an appalling reputation with both visitors and exhibitors alike for poor value for money. Take a trip to a few foreign ones, it will be an eye opener.
muminator
New member
We spent two days there this year, stayed at the Hilton (ferry & coach to show). Had a really good time and achieved everything we wanted to.
I much prefer Excel, but I see people's point about nothing to do in the evening. We went into town and saw "The Producers" - absolutely brilliant, highly recommend it.
Agree about numbers, we were there friday and Saturday, and surprised that the weekend crowds were not that much more than the friday.
Sue
I much prefer Excel, but I see people's point about nothing to do in the evening. We went into town and saw "The Producers" - absolutely brilliant, highly recommend it.
Agree about numbers, we were there friday and Saturday, and surprised that the weekend crowds were not that much more than the friday.
Sue
AlexL
Member
I've got top price tickets for "the producers" tomorrow night - can't wait! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
davel
Active member
Went on Saturday and it was definitely MUCH quieter than last year. No objections from me though as last year was a real scrum but this time I could see what I wanted without any pushing and shoving. Comments from exhibitors confirmed that it was down on last year but they were optimistic about increased attendance as the week progressed.
muminator
New member
Alex-
You won't be disappointed - don't dress too warmly though, the theatre is a sauna!
You won't be disappointed - don't dress too warmly though, the theatre is a sauna!
Achillesheel
Well-known member
We went on saturday, expecting it to be heaving but perhaps because the venue is so huge, it didn't seem too crowded. I went to Earls Court a couple of years ago, on a Saturday, and by lunchtime itwas unbearably full.
As at Southampton, it was good to be able to get on a few boats actually afloat outside, although it was b---y freezing so we didn't queue to see the Frigate.
And I didn't spend too much....
As at Southampton, it was good to be able to get on a few boats actually afloat outside, although it was b---y freezing so we didn't queue to see the Frigate.
And I didn't spend too much....
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I enjoy the new site and I don't understand what people mean when they say its hard to get to. For those of us who travel up from the sticks, Earls Court was just as bad as Excel. We used to go up and back in a day. Now we book into a late booked bargain hotel, come up to London by train and travel up to Excel on the DLR. For my money the DLR is an excellent service and having had a fairly lazy Saturday morning we arrived at the show at 1005.
Excel might lack the atmosphere of Earls Court, but the space is a breath of fresh air in more senses than one.
Can't understand the fascination with the frigate - if you want to see one let me know! We've got loads in Plymouth. On second thoughts, for a donation to the Tsunami appeal, perhaps you can have your own private tour?
Excel might lack the atmosphere of Earls Court, but the space is a breath of fresh air in more senses than one.
Can't understand the fascination with the frigate - if you want to see one let me know! We've got loads in Plymouth. On second thoughts, for a donation to the Tsunami appeal, perhaps you can have your own private tour?
oldgit
Well-known member
Food at shows
Cannot agree with comments regarding food.A recent trip to Genoa while displaying some breathtaking craft,inflicted on our little group some of the most outrageously overpriced food ever.
River Cafe eat your heart out.
The Genoa venue for future reference is a scruffy ill maintained depressing cold drafty dump.Imagine Bladerunner but without an upside.
Cannot agree with comments regarding food.A recent trip to Genoa while displaying some breathtaking craft,inflicted on our little group some of the most outrageously overpriced food ever.
River Cafe eat your heart out.
The Genoa venue for future reference is a scruffy ill maintained depressing cold drafty dump.Imagine Bladerunner but without an upside.
Greenwichman
Member
Re: Food at shows
Nowhere to go at night? Wot Abaht Greenwich, then? A few stops down the DLR and you can have a different kind of restaurant every night for a fortnight and never repeat yourself, with something for every price and several good pubs. And if that is too small-town for you, there's the whole of the West End just 20 minutes away on the Jubilee Line. As for hotels, the Accor Group has Ibis (2*) and Novotel (4*) all over the Docklands/Greenwich area.
I think LIBS is fabber at Excel.
Nowhere to go at night? Wot Abaht Greenwich, then? A few stops down the DLR and you can have a different kind of restaurant every night for a fortnight and never repeat yourself, with something for every price and several good pubs. And if that is too small-town for you, there's the whole of the West End just 20 minutes away on the Jubilee Line. As for hotels, the Accor Group has Ibis (2*) and Novotel (4*) all over the Docklands/Greenwich area.
I think LIBS is fabber at Excel.
longjohnsilver
Well-known member
The Producers
Pleased to hear that it's good, taking my new lady on Saturday after hearing other rave reviews!
Pleased to hear that it's good, taking my new lady on Saturday after hearing other rave reviews!
alisdairs
New member
After spending the last 12 years' worth of Xmas and invariably New Year, setting up the stand, then abusing my liver for 10 days at the Show I'm surprised how much I actually miss it, now I can't be there !! There must be a machocist in me somewhere !
snooks
Active member
Food @ Excel
There is certainly a variety of food to be had, some good, some bad...all leave a whole in yer pocket...so this year try something different
I know a greasy spoon isn't everyones idea of good food, but I know plenty of boaters that can't turn one down /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
At lunch time, get a re-entry ticket to look at the challenger tug outside the show...then walk to the station, turn right and head to custom house main street, 2 mins walk (5 in total from the door of the show) on yer left you'll see a cafe. (Exel Cafe and restaurant) £3.80 for Sausage, egg, bacon, chips, beans, toast and coffee. A far cry from the £3.85 just for a bagel! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Enjoy!
There is certainly a variety of food to be had, some good, some bad...all leave a whole in yer pocket...so this year try something different
I know a greasy spoon isn't everyones idea of good food, but I know plenty of boaters that can't turn one down /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
At lunch time, get a re-entry ticket to look at the challenger tug outside the show...then walk to the station, turn right and head to custom house main street, 2 mins walk (5 in total from the door of the show) on yer left you'll see a cafe. (Exel Cafe and restaurant) £3.80 for Sausage, egg, bacon, chips, beans, toast and coffee. A far cry from the £3.85 just for a bagel! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Enjoy!