I will always prefer to hear it from the horses mouth. In other words, peer review; the people who actually attend.
Claudia de Yong paid a visit on the middle day and here are her thoughts.
Having been to Glee for the last 4 years and with a trimmed show last year, I was unsure if the journey up the M40 would warrant a visit this year or not. The show had opened yesterday and I was here on the second of the three exhibition days, writes Claudia de Yong.
The atmosphere was very quiet which is great for a visitor as you can see everything and walk round quickly but not so sure it meant the same for many trade stands.
The 'talk' in the industry has been of an even smaller show with people dropping out as a result of the economic climate. The garden centres despite saying they have had a better year than forecast , must surely have been disappointed as I was by the show.
I realise I am looking at it from perhaps a different perspective as I am not a buyer for a large chain or an independent retailer, but I have been a buyer in a past life and I think as such I too would have been a little deflated by the rather low key show.
Glee seems to have become more of a generalised exhibition covering such diverse things as spinning wind chimes, stone cast figurines and animals and anything resembling a garden or of horticultural interest is hidden in a sea of brightly coloured mass produced paraphernalia. Much of what is at the show would be better displayed at the Spring and Autumn Gift Fair.
There was also an odd yellow rubber round cover to emulate a millstone , but I am not quite sure where or what you would ever use it for (second picture).
Such a shame as this could be a real opportunity to showcase innovative ideas and products and some of our finest British Craftsmanship which I see when I travel to much smaller local shows. It seems that the more specialised shows for the Landscape and Garden Industry are the way forward which focus on one area only.
There were three halls this year . Where there used to be a whole section on water products for example with Anglo Aquarium and World of Water taking large parts of the hall , there was only one stand selling pumps. There were no big names in the hard landscaping section which must say something.
No Marshalls, no Stonemarket, no Pavestone. Despite many garden furniture companies again there seemed to be none of the previous big names on display and it led into a large section on pets products.
The common question being asked on most stands was ‘What is your minimum order value’ and most companies I spoke with were happy to deal with the end user which is more favourable to a small business or designer such as myself.
On the positive side, I found a couple of companies which I would consider but they were the Rolls Royce of the show and were expensive, made worse by the exchange rate for the Euro.
Having spent most of the day looking for inspiration , I was pleasantly surprised to come across a team of five masseurs. I looked for the most attractive young man and happily sat back while he relieved some of the tension (physical if not mental) caused by aimlessly wandering around up and down aisles.
For me this was the highlight of the show!
For further reaction - Will Glee be able to continue?.
Claudia de Yong
Claudia de Yong Designs
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