INDUSTRIES FAIR

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 59, 7 September 1926, Page 20

INDUSTRIES FAIR

I NEXT YEAR'S EVENT. I BIRMINGHAM PRACTICALLY | BOOKED UP. smnui I hi mil

British manufacturers and traders have already applied for close upon 60,000 square feet of space in the London seotion of the British Industries Fair next February. The most popular lines to far are toys and games (28 applications)', fancy goods (19), stationery (15), leather goods (12), foodstuffs (12), pottery (11), and sports goods (11). In Birmingham, where the hardware and machinery trades will exhibit, the halls occupied last year are practically booked up. "The Fair promises to be better supported than.ever this year," said an offi-r cial at the Department of Overseas Trade in an interview to-day. 'Many small firms have built up > a large business from the opportunities which it has afforded them. I could mention cases, which are almost romantic, of businesses whose foundations have been based on anexhibit at our Fair at a trivial cost. "This is no exaggeration, because the small manufacturer who would be content with a stand eight feet square can obtain all his requirements for a sum of less than £20. Anyone who invests that amount in the Fair will be introduced to the markets of the world by the 36 Commercial Diplomatic Officers attached to our various embassies and legations, 14 Trade Commissioners in the Dominions and Colonies, and 56 Imperial Trade correspondents, in addition to nearly 400 regular members of the Consular Service, all of whom are working for tha success of the Fair. "In the past the results of that cooperation have been wonderful. For example, one firm* which was practically down and out made last year, thanks to the Fair, £6000 profit. Another firm which opened in a 'band-box' stand today has 900 feet of the most carefully designed stand in the Fair, and sells to Paris bags which are bought there as French and come back to England as such, because 'no one in England could make anything so smart or artistic.' Another firm which took £50,000 in orders when the Fair first opened has an annual turnover to-day of £400,000. "By the way, February's Fair will be the thirteenth, and it is going to mak* 19 » Inolnr BiinJuw-".