Show fails to draw crowds

Many who attended told optician that the show was worthwhile, and that they would attend a similar event next year. However, there was a feeling from overseas exhibitors that British practitioners, many of whom remain unconvinced of the show's fashion frame message, had not attended at the levels hoped for. The London Underground strike, which affected transport to the event for part of its three-day duration, did not help. Key show organiser Jason Kirk, practice owner of Kirk Originals, could not hide his frustration. 'The turn-out from opticians in the UK was disappointing,' he said, 'but we now have an excellent platform on which to build and we feel certain that when people hear of the quality of exhibitors there will be a better turn-out at LIO 2000.' Show organisers Miller Freeman stated it was too early to release attendance figures. Several sources said they got what they wanted from the show. Typical was dispensing optician Laurence Freeman, managing director of Bradford-based Opula, who attended all the show's seminars and placed orders with exhibitors. Exhibitor Peter Friedfield, vice-president of US-based frame supplier Kenneth Cole, said: 'The quality of buyers at the event was very high.'