London Toy Show new location? (1 Viewer)

[Jay]

Maybe this has been mentioned and if so, please feel free to direct me. But, how come? I know there was an attempt at the AlleyPally a few years back, but it's been at the Imperial for almost 20 years that I know of.
I'm sure there are very good reasons, and I'm not against it, but tradition? I'm from the US and know the area like the back of my hand. Now I'll have to learn Islington.

 

[trooper]

At present there is a growing groundswell of dissatisfaction among the traders about the new location. The set up times are much more restrictive than those at the old venue and the unloading facilities are more complicated. There has been little consideration given to the logistics of unloading and setting up stands, and several customers at the last show said they would no longer bother attending. One of the reasons given for the selection of the new venue was that the second hall (Hall B) is to be changed into a new bar whch would mean relocating some 15-20 traders including among others ATS, Yeomanry, Tommy Atkins, Figarti (Grey Goose), Scarlet and Gold etc. Apparently there will be a meeting on September 3rd to try to resolve some of these issues. Hopefully something concrete will be determined which is to the benefit of all concerned, otherwise the future of the show could be in jeopardy if both traders and customers decide not to attend. The overall concensus is that everyone would prefer to stick to the familiar venue and routine, it is up to Guideline and the hotel to sort out a solution. Trooper

 

[Guy]

At present there is a growing groundswell of dissatisfaction among the traders about the new location. The set up times are much more restrictive than those at the old venue and the unloading facilities are more complicated. There has been little consideration given to the logistics of unloading and setting up stands, and several customers at the last show said they would no longer bother attending. One of the reasons given for the selection of the new venue was that the second hall (Hall B) is to be changed into a new bar whch would mean relocating some 15-20 traders including among others ATS, Yeomanry, Tommy Atkins, Figarti (Grey Goose), Scarlet and Gold etc. Apparently there will be a meeting on September 3rd to try to resolve some of these issues. Hopefully something concrete will be determined which is to the benefit of all concerned, otherwise the future of the show could be in jeopardy if both traders and customers decide not to attend. The overall concensus is that everyone would prefer to stick to the familiar venue and routine, it is up to Guideline and the hotel to sort out a solution. Trooper

Right you are trooper. If the location changes I will cancel my attendance . I already have an option on my room in the familiar hotel. If the venue changes we cancel our attendance completely ( a group of visitors from Belgium))

 

[Martin Tabony]

At present there is a growing groundswell of dissatisfaction among the traders about the new location. The set up times are much more restrictive than those at the old venue and the unloading facilities are more complicated. There has been little consideration given to the logistics of unloading and setting up stands, and several customers at the last show said they would no longer bother attending. One of the reasons given for the selection of the new venue was that the second hall (Hall B) is to be changed into a new bar whch would mean relocating some 15-20 traders including among others ATS, Yeomanry, Tommy Atkins, Figarti (Grey Goose), Scarlet and Gold etc. Apparently there will be a meeting on September 3rd to try to resolve some of these issues. Hopefully something concrete will be determined which is to the benefit of all concerned, otherwise the future of the show could be in jeopardy if both traders and customers decide not to attend. The overall concensus is that everyone would prefer to stick to the familiar venue and routine, it is up to Guideline and the hotel to sort out a solution. Trooper

I have to say I've not heard one good comment about the change! Unless of course you like teddy bears along with the figures!

Martin

 

[AIDMAN]

Oh dear!!...I really hope that this is not an indication of pending doom and an untimely end of the London Toy Soldier Show. I have been attending the show now for ten years or so, Dropped out for a couple of years a while back but found new enthusiasm and have really enjoyed my last couple of visits. I like many others am quite fond of the traditional location and would love to see the show continue at the
same place...Yes i know..things change, but i am really not looking forward to this change!! It"s of course more than just looking at and buying toy soldiers. meeting the guys in the bar is more than half the fun, OK the new location also has a bar...(i hope) but it just aint the same!!!!!!!...I am not saying at this moment that i will not be attending in the future, but if dealers drop out so will public attendance falter
and then i am afraid the end is irrevocable. So my vote says if at all possible keep the show at the good old Royal National Hotel!!!!!>

Steve

 

[Jay]

Wow, touchy subject. I did notice last December that the hotel was considerbly busier with tourists all over the place. I recall other years when the place seemed almost deserted with people walking around, only toy soldier folks. But I think the whole neighborhood is busier than it used to be some years back. A lot more cafes, restaurants, end trendy malls. I remember about five or six years back wanting a cup of coffee before the show and there was no place in the area to go to for one.
But, I suppose it comes down to if something isn't broken, why try to fix it?

 

[Rob]

Well despite growing concerns among some by the sound of it , it does look like the show will go on as Freddie M once sang. To this end I will in the next few weeks go up there and scout out a watering hole for us as I know the usual gang will be in attendance as per normal . For many UK members the social side of the London show is a big draw , so politics and disputes aside we will be there and ready to welcome any visitors from abroad who make the trip. Will get back to you once I've found a suitable pub, bar, bordello, hole in the road where we can all sit and have a glass or two.

Cheers

Rob

 

[AIDMAN]

Well despite growing concerns among some by the sound of it , it does look like the show will go on as Freddie M once sang. To this end I will in the next few weeks go up there and scout out a watering hole for us as I know the usual gang will be in attendance as per normal . For many UK members the social side of the London show is a big draw , so politics and disputes aside we will be there and ready to welcome any visitors from abroad who make the trip. Will get back to you once I've found a suitable pub, bar, bordello, hole in the road where we can all sit and have a glass or two.

Cheers

Rob

Well Rob if there is one thing that that our Capitol City is not short of then it has to be Pub"s!!, so i have every faith that you will come through with your recce mission. Try and find one with those rather nice leather sofas and bookcases in those darkly lit corners...some etched glass windows, and don"t forget a cute Barmaid or 2..maybe we will just sit in the pub all day and to heck with all that toy soldier stuff!!!!....No seriously, looks to be inevitable that we are gonna get moved on so lets do just that, keep an open mind and just see where it leads us!!.

Steve

 

[yeoman]

As a trader attending the London show again since December 2010 I must say that the lack of communication from Guideline Publications concerns me. At the last show in June I was advised that the show was moving and what a great venue the new place was going to be. I was given a map telling me how to get there but since then I have had no communication from Guidelne whatsoever!

Now I learn, from fellow traders not the organisers, of the new restrictions in setting up times and of difficulties of getting our wares into the venue. Being a one man organisation ease of access is, for me, of paramount importance and any difficulties will, unfortuneately, cause me problems setting up.

Today I learn that there is to be a meeting on September 3rd to discuss the new venue. What I wnt to know is; why do I have to learn this from the Treefrog Forum and not from Guideline Publications who, after all,are the oganisers? It seems that the attitude is "Like it or lump it" which does not bode well for the future! I hope that Yeomanry Miniatures will be attending the December Show but I am beginning to have doubts concerning Guideline Publications ability to organise the show at the new venue and fear that this could be the last time I attend.

Yeoman.

At present there is a growing groundswell of dissatisfaction among the traders about the new location. The set up times are much more restrictive than those at the old venue and the unloading facilities are more complicated. There has been little consideration given to the logistics of unloading and setting up stands, and several customers at the last show said they would no longer bother attending. One of the reasons given for the selection of the new venue was that the second hall (Hall B) is to be changed into a new bar whch would mean relocating some 15-20 traders including among others ATS, Yeomanry, Tommy Atkins, Figarti (Grey Goose), Scarlet and Gold etc. Apparently there will be a meeting on September 3rd to try to resolve some of these issues. Hopefully something concrete will be determined which is to the benefit of all concerned, otherwise the future of the show could be in jeopardy if both traders and customers decide not to attend. The overall concensus is that everyone would prefer to stick to the familiar venue and routine, it is up to Guideline and the hotel to sort out a solution. Trooper

 

[Mitch]

why don't all the dealers, traders collectors etc just organise their own show??? Guideline do not have the monopoly or rights to stop this and, its obvious from what is happening they are less interested in the Toy soldier show and more interested in amalgamating several of their interests into one super size show for all.

Surely, this is the perfect opportunity because if it goes pear shaped this year which, is sounding rather likely it could end the show for good
Mitch

 

[The Military Workshop]

Have never been to a London show and dont know the organisors or any of the dealers.

My comments only based on what I have read in this thread.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the issue that the hotel is redeveloping part of the area used by the show to make another bar area ? That being the case the organisors have no choice but to find another venue.

Have seen similar issues with shows here.

Regards
Brett

 

[yeoman]

While the hotel is redeveloping one of the halls the organisers were offered alternate space.

Yeoman.

Have never been to a London show and dont know the organisors or any of the dealers.

My comments only based on what I have read in this thread.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the issue that the hotel is redeveloping part of the area used by the show to make another bar area ? That being the case the organisors have no choice but to find another venue.

Have seen similar issues with shows here.

Regards
Brett

 

[steveemmo]

While the hotel is redeveloping one of the halls the organisers were offered alternate space.

Yeoman.

i spoke to one of the organisers who spoke about the changes to come, (for some reason others denied there were any changes in the pipeline) ^&confuse but the new venue is i believe larger and from what i heard the show will no longer be exclusively for toy soldiers, they are hoping to get more people through the door by mixing the show with readers who have interests in the various other publications they have, i think some of these changes will benefit the shows traders with hopefully more footfall through the show, unless of course we get teddy bear sellers and such like in there too (no offence intended but you know what i mean), i doubt this would happen and i hope that the show is a success for Guidline and everyone else involved
steve
nb. i do not know why, but i honestly have to say that my order book is absolutely empty for the show, this may be for several reasons (my stuffs rubbish for one) joke ! or it may be an indicator that people do not intend going, i hope this is not the case , and that people are building up their want list as i speak, but if the order book stays as it is i do not think i will be going to this particular event, as pre orders are what pays running costs

 

[Jay]

I've been looking at the website of the publisher and I don't see a magazine about teddybears, thank the gods. I'd be a bit honked off to travel all the way from the States to see Beaniebabies. The magazines themselves look to have a cross-over appeal, so I suppose it would be worth seeing what happens.

 

[Shyguy151]

I have not been there for a couple years, but was going over this December is the venue different and not at the royal national hotel?

 

[Martin Tabony]

As a trader attending the London show again since December 2010 I must say that the lack of communication from Guideline Publications concerns me. At the last show in June I was advised that the show was moving and what a great venue the new place was going to be. I was given a map telling me how to get there but since then I have had no communication from Guidelne whatsoever!

Now I learn, from fellow traders not the organisers, of the new restrictions in setting up times and of difficulties of getting our wares into the venue. Being a one man organisation ease of access is, for me, of paramount importance and any difficulties will, unfortuneately, cause me problems setting up.

Today I learn that there is to be a meeting on September 3rd to discuss the new venue. What I wnt to know is; why do I have to learn this from the Treefrog Forum and not from Guideline Publications who, after all,are the oganisers? It seems that the attitude is "Like it or lump it" which does not bode well for the future! I hope that Yeomanry Miniatures will be attending the December Show but I am beginning to have doubts concerning Guideline Publications ability to organise the show at the new venue and fear that this could be the last time I attend.

Yeoman.

From what I've been hearing, you're not alone!

Martin

 

[Rob]

Well Rob if there is one thing that that our Capitol City is not short of then it has to be Pub"s!!, so i have every faith that you will come through with your recce mission. Try and find one with those rather nice leather sofas and bookcases in those darkly lit corners...some etched glass windows, and don"t forget a cute Barmaid or 2..maybe we will just sit in the pub all day and to heck with all that toy soldier stuff!!!!....No seriously, looks to be inevitable that we are gonna get moved on so lets do just that, keep an open mind and just see where it leads us!!.

Steve

Will do Steve, will try and scare up somewhere with a bit of class......who am I kidding....most of these guys will have a pint behind a wheelie bin if someone else is buying!^&grin:wink2:

I know several and perhaps many dealers have grave doubts about this next show, all we as customers can do is turn up and support those that do set up shop and see how the show works out on the day. Nothing will kill the London show quicker than if we all stay away.

Rob

 

[Wraith]

Will do Steve, will try and scare up somewhere with a bit of class......who am I kidding....most of these guys will have a pint behind a wheelie bin if someone else is buying!^&grin:wink2:

Rob

We're still waiting for that day......:rolleyes2::wink2:

 

[tdubel]

You guys better not screw this up, I am coming for the June 2013 show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, I hope this works out.

TD

 

[Wraith]

You guys better not screw this up, I am coming for the June 2013 show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, I hope this works out.

TD

Screw it up? With Rob at the helm?.....yeah, I see your point.
One thing will be guarenteed, the drinking establishment will be first rate.