FMO shelves plans for London optical show

Optrafair's organiser the FMO has decided it will not host a London show in the foreseeable future. The decision leaves the UK optical industry with no major exhibition during next year's calendar.

At this year's NEC fair there was much speculation on the possibility of an event being staged in the capital during the early part of 2006. And for a second time running the Federation quizzed visitors to Birmingham's Optrafair as to whether they would like to attend a London show.

However, following a delay to an announcement, it was confirmed this week in a statement that there would be no London Optrafair for the time being.

The FMO said: 'Plans for a London-based Optrafair next spring have been put aside by the show owners, the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians.  The unanimous decision of the FMO board is that the current economic climate cannot sustain a large annual show.

'The NEC in Birmingham has the overwhelming support of the majority of the industry, thanks to its central location, accessibility and ease of parking and the FMO is delighted to have set the dates for the Birmingham-based Optrafair for April 21-23 2007.'
Several parties have hosted optical exhibitions in London in the past decade, the most recent being Eyefashion in 2000 at the Islington Design Centre.

This week Malcolm Polley, chairman of the FMO, told optician: 'Having debated the subject of an annual Optrafair and listened to the opinions of those within the industry, we have found that although some are keen to stage a major UK optical show it is not a realistic event each year.'