Businesses have been hit hard by the downturn, with many closing down, and those remaining are doing everything they can to maintain their sales. Over 130 businesses promoted themselves at Bournemouth International Centre’s annual Wedding Show last Friday.
Tailor, Ken Edwards, of Chas Baker menswear in Salisbury, said: “This show and the one in the Autumn in the Pavilion brings in nearly 60% of my business on the higher trend. That’s what I call mixing the flesh, you are there with people, it’s the best advertising there is.”
Adam Ryder from Photoland photography added: “People are spending £6 or £3.50 to get in. They are serious customers, they are not coming just to look and go, they want to buy things, they want to book things.”
The rent of a single square metre during the show in BIC costs businesses around £1000.
However, according to Paul Pinnock, manager of wedding venue Lulworth Castle, attending the show brings profits. “Every single time we’re coming we always do business,” he said .
According to Joe Chaudhry from John Lewis the situation is improving each year with many more customers attending.
Bournemouth Wedding Shows have been taking place in February and September for over 20 years.
Photos by flickr and the Lehman Mansion
