Southampton boat show organisers lose appeal to hold international event

The Southampton International Boat Show and the Ocean Village Boat Show were both due to run from September 11 to 20 – but were cancelled last Thursday.

This was despite council officers only asking for one change to the site set-up, the organisers have said.

British Marine has confirmed an appeal against the decision to shut down the event has been unsuccessful.

They had asked the secretaries of state for public health and digital, culture, media and sport to review the decision made by Southampton City Council.

The annual international show – which has been held for more than 50 years and last year saw 100,000 visitors – had been postponed and scaled down because of the pandemic, but was still expected to attract more than 20,000 people over the 10 days.

The order to cancel the show came after Southampton City Council officers reviewed the site ‘just hours’ before it was due to open, a British Marine spokesman said.

He added: ‘(They) requested only one site amendment: to remove a panel in the site entrance security marquee to increase airflow, which was implemented immediately.

‘The show plans were developed alongside Southampton City Council using the Events Industry Forum and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport guidance, Association of Events Organisers (AEO) All Secure Standard and other contributions from exhibitors and industry.’

The cancellation of the show will have ‘a considerable financial impact on the marine industry, and also on the city of Southampton’, according to Lesley Robinson, chief executive of British Marine, Lesley Robinson.

Lesley Robinson, chief executive of British Marine, said: ‘I am saddened that our appeal has been rejected and the plight of our exhibitors and the industry has not been recognised by the Secretaries of State.

‘The cancellation of the show will have a considerable financial impact on the marine industry, and also on the city of Southampton.

‘We are now considering all options available and what we can do for British Marine members and all show exhibitors.’

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The decision to cancel them was criticised by Royston Smith, Conservative MP for Southampton Itchen, who posted on Twitter: ‘These events were critical to Southampton’s economy and recovery.’

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