Last week saw disappointing figures once again at the 2013 London International Wine Fair, held at the ExCel centre located to the east of the capital. The main area of concern was the substantial drop in exhibitors from 800 in 2012, to 580 this year.

The main area of concern was the substantial drop in exhibitors

However, LIWF marketing director Will Broadfoot was keen to reassure people that 2014 will see the return of some of the big names who were absent this year, as the fair returns to its previous location at Kensington Olympia, a far more central exhibition centre.

“A return to Kensington Olympia and changes to the way the LIWF is run will entice more exhibitors to the show next year,” he said. Mr Broadfoot went on to say that “it would be very fair to say we will be seeing a return of some of the major names missing from this year”.

He added that many of the exhibitors who are not attending LIWF 2013 have been driven primarily by a need to keep down costs. New guidelines being introduced for exhibitors next year, such as turning off fridges overnight and banning banners hung from the ceiling, will drive down costs.

Meanwhile, the decision to invest more than £40,000 (€47,000) in a strategy encouraging partnerships and subsidies with airlines, hotels and restaurants should cut the cost of attending.

The show’s return to Kensington Olympia will also give it a chance to make a fresh start.

“It is important to add that Olympia has just undergone a £30 million refit. We’re not going back to an old venue, it is in the same location but there’s nothing old (about the venue) when people get there,” Mr Broadfoot concluded.