Ceramics designer and renowned potter Keith Brymer-Jones, a judge on BBC 2’s The Great Pottery Throw Down, has been a familiar face at Home & Gift, Harrogate, this week, chatting to visitors on the Forma House stand, (Hall M, stand M2) and displaying his expert skills at the potter’s wheel.
“It’s been great to be at a physical show at last,” said Keith, who confirmed that a fifth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down will start filming again at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke on Trent in September.
Elsewhere at Home & Gift, exhibitors reported an excellent show.
“It’s been brilliant to be back,” enthused Steve Davies, managing director of Joe Davies.“Within five minutes of the doors opening on Sunday we knew that we had made the right decision, and it really feels like we’ve turned the corner. We’ve seen a huge number of customers, with retailers telling us how good it is to be here and actually seeing the products. Plus, retailers who came to the show came to buy.”
Neil Gaukwin, general manager of House of Disaster, concurred. “We’ve been very, very busy. From the moment the doors opened at 9am on Sunday morning we had people on the stand and we were taking orders.”
On the Best Kept Secrets stand, managing director Vanessa Curry commented: “It’s been a great show, and so good to be back. On Sunday (July 18) alone, we equalled the show in 2019, and on Monday (July 19), we had the biggest day that we have ever had. We’ve also seen more customers from the South of England this year. Our candles and tins have been the most popular products, but we’ve also sold a lot of wax melts.”
Gift, home and interiors company Gallery Direct also reported an excellent show. “We’ve had non-stop customers on the stand throughout the show who were serious buyers and were here to place orders,” confirmed the company’s Judith Bell.
Also highlighting an excellent few days was first time exhibitor David Lorimer, UK distributor of David Fussenegger throws, cushions and rugs. “We’ve seen a lot of customers and written a lot of orders,” he confirmed.
Retailers too, confirmed that they had discovered new suppliers. “We’ve found some really good, new companies and placed several orders,” confirmed mother and daughter Clare and Hannah Bishop, owners of Cornucopia in Worcester. Added Janet Hartree, owner of Ewe & Me and Ewe Too in Grantown on Spey: “It’s been marvellous to be back at Home & Gift. I’ve been very inspiring and found excellent new suppliers at the show.”
Today (July 21) is the final day of the show. Visit www.homeandgift.co.uk
Top: Keith Brymer Jones on the Forma House stand at Home & Gift.
