Archetech Issue 24 2016 | Page 70

Major Brands Flock To Manchester This year’s Manchester Furniture Show (17 - 19 July, Manchester Central) has a country fair theme and promises to be a fun interiors show, with serious exhibitors and new designs that will have buyers eager to take in all the attractions. The show is the smaller sister show to the larger January Furniture Show, which is held at the NEC. For over 15 years Laraine Janes, Theresa Raymond and their team have organised this summer show in Manchester. Although not as large as January, with over 130 exhibitors in 100,000 square feet of stylish exhibition space, it is not exactly small. Unlike it’s Birmingham counterpart, it is held in the heart o f the city and is a popular destination with buyers looking for something new and different for the autumn trading period. The city’s restaurants and bars are within easy walking distance of the venue and offer the chance to try something different after a day’s buying. Archetech - Page 70 The main hall for the up-coming 2016 show had a rapid sell out and is now full. The exhibitor list is again full of some of the leading names in furniture and interior furnishings from the UK and Europe, including Baker, Westbridge, Buoyant, Gallery Direct, Lebus, Nolte, Morris, Buoyant, Rauch, Furmanac and Whitemeadow, all of whom return having had a successful show last year. New exhibitors in furniture for 2016 include Essex based leather and fabric upholstery manufacturer Panacea, whose modern, stylish designs won many fans at this year’s January Furniture Show. Devonshire Pine & Oak from Bideford, who are one of the few remaining cabinet manufacturers in the UK, will display collections from their varied portfolio of painted, waxed and lacquered bedroom and living & dining ranges. In interior furnishings new exhibitors include family business Hookes Interiors, who will bring a wonderful array of their stylish, unique and often alternative decorative items for every room of the home. CIMC, well known for their attention grabbing mix of lamps, mirrors, frames, clocks and decorative items, in styles from Art Deco to swish Manhattan, as well as furniture items will have a large stand in the Main Hall. Also in the Main Hall and crossing the line between furniture and interior furnishings supplier, returning exhibitor Gallery Direct will show a wide variety of their stylish and design led furnishings. Launching both furniture and homeware items at Manchester, their impressive stand is sure to be a big draw for show visitors. It isn’t just big names that cause a splash at Manchester, smaller companies who are some of the most imaginative furniture and accessory companies in the UK, including DB Mirrors, Flair Rugs, Wire Lamps and Wilde Java are all bringing new designs to tempt buyers. They will be showing everything from rustic furniture hewn from tree stumps to highly styalised individual pieces in silver and antiqued finishes, as well as lamps, mirrors, art, rugs and decorative accessories. Looking forward to this year’s show, Laraine Janes, Show Director said, “The Manchester Furniture Show always has a great buzz about it. We wanted to capture that with the country fair themed marketing and presentation of the show, demonstrating that the very important business side - which has an abundance of new exhibitors, designs and products will be irresistible to buyers, is against the backdrop of a smart and relaxed venue, in a vibrant city”. For a full list of exhibitors, details on how to get there, where to stay and further information visit: www.manchesterfurnitureshow.com