I can confirm this, we were told by Meridienne yesterday, just too late to make MW 296.

It has been postponed by 12 months.

Neil

Meridienne Exhibitions, organisers of the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition, have announced that the 2020 exhibition has been cancelled as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

The decision to cancel the event until October 2021 ensures safety and will enable the team to deliver the highly popular event without compromise next year.

Chris Deith, Exhibition Director of Meridienne Exhibitions explained:

“Like many other organisers we have been watching the criteria for events unfold. Venues are only currently planned to reopen from 1^st October subject to successful outcomes of the mass gathering pilot studies. There are also ongoing government restrictions in place for the continuing management of this pandemic which are subject to change at any time.

We are positive that considerable social distancing measures will need to be in place regardless. We feel these would have a significant impact on our ability to present the event to the normal size and format for everyone’s enjoyment. Therefore, we have come to the sensible and responsible decision to cancel the event until October 2021.

We are aware that our loyal supporters will be disappointed with this decision but it would not be right to organise an event that does not meet the high expectations that have been set over the last 42 years”.

The 2021 show dates are confirmed as the 14^th – 17^th October again at the Warwickshire Event Centre.

Any visitors who have purchased an advance ticket already will be refunded directly.

Please follow the organisers on Twitter @ MeridienneEx or Facebook Meridienne Exhibitions LTD for all the latest news on events.

I must admit it would have been very surprising if it had gone ahead.

Talking to one of our suppliers back in May (when I phoned with an order), he told me they were expecting an announcement in August, but it struck me that even if the show would have been safe, two months may not give the larger traders much time to plan for it.

A more important point perhaps is whether the venues will survive. Looking at the ads posted in all sorts of incongruous places – including the loos – it's clear they need host exhibitions or other events if not weekly then certainly very frequently, to support expensive premises and many staff.