#LIWF: a shrunken London International Wine Trade Fair

 The importance of white space (above and below)

Anyone wishing to see how much the London International Wine Fair has shrunk over the past few years only had to head from the fair area to the Waterside area, so passing through a huge empty space to reach the stairs down to the lower level. A few years ago all of this space and more was filled by the fair. Once it was impossible to see the length of the fair, this year you can easily see from one end of the fair to the other.

Officially bookings are down by 25% for the 2013 edition and the space booked by 20% but that is only part of the story as the fair has been shrinking for at least the past two years. 

Next year 'International' is dropped from the Fair's title and it moves back to Olympia. It will be held in the first week in June and will be more focused on the domestic market. Will this signal a revival or is the London Fair in terminal decline?  

Will going back to Olympia in early June 2014 revive the London Fair? 

Last Exit from Excel?

London International Wine Trade Fair: 22nd May 2012

 

Wines of Portugal

A few photos taken amongst the aisles on first day of the 2012 London International Wine Trade Fair.

 France 

Romania 

Empty space@EXCEL

The London International Wine Trade Fair is suffering from the huge success of Prowein that now attracts around three times as many visitors and LIWTF does. A few years ago LIWTF filled all the space available plus had a separate area for spirits exhibitors – DISTIL. Now Distil is incorporated and there is now space in the exhibition hall which is not being used.     

 London City Bond boat 

David Hogg, Jeremy Pearson and Bob May: a trio of gentlemen facing a tough three days welcoming visitors to the LCB boat

Tim Stanley-Clarke: not sure what the distinguished doyen of the Port trade is doing with a £20 note on the Decanter stand. Perhaps best not to ask!!