One of Harrogate International Centre’s (HIC) biggest annual events has seen a boost in visitor numbers as organisers praise the town’s hospitality.
The three-day International Nursery Fair featured hundreds of exhibitors from around the world showing off the latest in baby, nursery and maternity products to thousands of visitors.
The event takes up most of HIC’s exhibition halls and this year, for the first time, the Royal Hall played host to businesses from North America.
Robert Anslow, Harrogate International Nursery Fair director, praised local businesses for their ‘wonderful hospitality’.
Robert Anslow said: This is Harrogate International Nursery Fair’s 45th year and we have experienced considerable growth for the show.
We now occupy nine halls of the Harrogate International Centre, bringing over 5000 people to the town for the duration of the event and almost filling the local hotels and restaurants to capacity.
As the organiser, we are grateful to the wonderful hospitality offered by local businesses to our exhibitors and visitors, giving added value and ensuring that they return year after year.
HIC director Simon Kent said: It’s great that Harrogate’s fantastic hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars are being singled out for praise by important business visitors.
The Nursery Show has grown at HIC into a truly international event and seems to be proving a success in 2014. More visitors to HIC means more money into the local economy.
Exhibitor Tamlyn Maxwell, of babywear company Sock Ons, said: Fantastic; it’s been really busy and really exciting with loads of visitors. We’ve got some new ranges which have gained a lot of interest.
Gary Woods, managing director of Primary Products, said: We have signed lots of business which is obviously good and why we are here.
