PSP Southampton Boat Show Ends on a High
Sunday, 21 September 2008
The PSP Southampton Boat Show, in association with ITV Meridian,
drew to a close today, concluding ten days of boating fun,
celebration and business. A very encouraging total of
121,389* visitors descended on Mayflower Park between 12-21
September to enjoy the 40th Show.
The Show, which boasts one of Europe’s largest purpose-built
marinas, treated visitors to a bumper year with over 600 exhibitors
and more than 1,000 boats on display, ranging from 1.5m dinghies to
37m tri-deck motor yachts. To ensure an unforgettable 40th,
the Show was opened with golden fanfare by the victorious sailors
from Team GB, led by Ben Ainslie, and a host of boating and
television legends from the past five decades including Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Steve Curtis MBE, Lady Pippa
Blake and Kate O’Mara.
Visitors were spoiled for choice with the action-packed schedule
of daily events, displays and interactive features. Crowds
gathered at the Main Stage – Powered by Fairline to watch retro
fashion shows and see Felicity MacNamara be crowned Miss PSP
Southampton Boat Show; visitors climbed aboard the Show’s tall ship
Jeanie Johnston as well as a multitude of visiting feature boats;
while others took the chance to get on the water trying RIBs,
powerboats, dinghies, canoes and kayaks. The introduction of
Ladies Day was a great success and the new Platinum Ticket offered
a little extra for those visitors in search of luxury at the
Show.
Paul Strzelecki, chairman of National Boat Shows said: “The Show
and the industry in general have faced a challenge by way of a
series of difficult economic situations hitting the global banking
industry and financial markets since the start 10 days ago.
We experienced a slower beginning but were delighted to finish the
Show only 5% lower than last year’s stunning attendance which was
the third highest in the Show’s history.
“Feedback shows that our visitors have had a great day out with
us, with many taking the chance to get afloat and our exhibitors
remain positive about sales and the long-term benefits of the
Show.”
Andrew Williams, managing director of National Boat Shows
continued: “Despite these being tough economic times, our
buoyant ticket sales illustrate that many visitors continue to see
the Show as an important date in the boating calendar – a testament
to the appeal of the Show, the exhibitors and all
involved. We’ve also had the benefit of good weather
and a wealth of attractions to explore, which have helped draw
crowds out onto the marina day after day.
“The industry is very conscious of the current economic climate,
and while sales have not been as robust as 2007 where we enjoyed a
strong year, many exhibitors have exceeded targets for this year –
which is encouraging. We are of course aware that this may
not be the case for all exhibitors and NBS will continue to ensure
we produce the best possible showcase for the industry at London
and Southampton to maximise sales opportunities for all.”
Frank Dixie, managing director of Show title sponsor PSP, said:
“The Show has exceeded all expectations. We came here as
title sponsors not knowing what to expect but we’re delighted we
have surpassed our targets, both in orders and brand
awareness. The friendliness, not just from NBS and BMF but
also the exhibitors, has been overwhelming, and we will miss the
atmosphere of being here at the Show.
“The highlight for us, through our partnership with MDL, was the
loading of a ship heading to Spain which passed the Show on Tuesday
– and also taking our first order earlier in the week, as a result
of our sponsorship.”
The Show has also played host to a number of celebrities
throughout the week. Eddie Jordan kicked off the Show buying
an Elan yacht, while others spotted have included Claire Sweeney,
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Timothy Spall. Olympic medallists Tim
Brabants and David Florence also took to the water and showed off
their paddling skills.
The British Marine Federation (BMF) continued to work hard
behind the scenes, organising numerous events and incentives to
help demonstrate both the value of becoming a member, and to
encourage current members to make the most of their
membership.
The BMF, along with the RYA and IWA also provided an update on
how the end of the derogation of Red Diesel will be implemented as
of 1 November 2008: private pleasure craft owners will be able to
continue to use red diesel for propulsion use, but at a modified
duty rate while red diesel at a rebated rate will still be
available for domestic purposes, such as heating and lighting.
Recreational boaters will declare the percentage of fuel to be used
for propulsion and domestic use respectively, with analysis by both
the industry and HMRC suggesting a split of 60% for propulsion and
40% for domestic use (heating, cooking etc) probably reflects
most people’s use and it is
therefore likely that many users will declare such an
apportionment.
Exhibitor quotes:
Jonathan Duffy from Sail Time: “We’ve had an
extremely successful Show. We feel we have something different to
offer in testing times, and have managed to sign up lots of
members. We have personally equaled our performance of the 2007
Show, which is fantastic, and aided by the good weather have
thoroughly enjoyed the Show.”
James Beaver of Dean and Reddyhoff: “This is
the best boat show we have ever done. We feel the right audience
has been attracted this year right up until the last Sunday. People
are making decisions, and are here to spend money. We have already
made contact with NBS regarding a stand at the London International
Boat Show in January and are very much looking forward to it.”
Andrew Morgan of Morgan Powerboats: “We
launched our new Morgan 260 at the Show this year, an all British
boat which has been in production for the last four years – and the
response from the visitors has been phenomenal, we haven’t stopped
since we got here! With the business we have generated here
at the Show over the last ten days, our family run business will be
kept busy for the next 12 months alone.”
Shelley Jory, ambassador for the first ever Ladies Day
at the Show said: “I am hugely honoured to be the
ambassador for the first ever Ladies Day. It is fantastic that our
industry is finally holding such an event at a Boat Show. I’ve
thoroughly enjoyed my entire involvement. There seems to be a lot
of buzz around the activities and the atmosphere has been great.
People are still buying boats, and I am thrilled to see so many
happy faces in such difficult times.
“I particularly enjoyed visiting the H2O Zone in Solent Park.
The kids were having a ball on the water and it’s great that they
can get involved in something practical.”
James Grazebrook of Haylard said: “Visitor
numbers held up well against a difficult economic background and we
moved our business forward with the conclusion of two significant
commercial marine contracts and a number of large leisure craft
sales. Southampton is the first in the annual round of major
international boat shows and all the indications are that the
multi-national superyacht and large leisure yacht business
continues to achieve satisfactory sales levels.”
Paul Birch from Haven Knox Johnston: “It has
been a pretty upbeat Show with excellent weather conditions, which
has really restored British confidence in summertime and in the
boating industry as a whole. We have spoken to a couple today who
are upgrading from an £80k boat to a £300k boat, so business is
clearly being done. We really enjoy the hospitality aspect of the
Show, which enables us to make contact with our customers on an
annual basis, and update them on our products.”
Bill Hannah of Personal Touch: “Our
expectations of a more low key Show have certainly been exceeded.
Business has been extremely good and we will definitely be coming
to London in January.”
Nick Griffith of Ancasta: “Sales levels have
met our expectations however volumes of enquiries both from
existing and new customers have greatly exceeded expectations. We
are delighted.”
Rick Reading of Topper: “We have had very good
sales figures equaling that of last year. The Show has really
bettered our expectations with an exceptionally high quality of
visitor. Saturday in particular was spectacular – the best we have
experienced in many years. And of course we will be returning in
January to London where we are involved with the Design a Sail
competition.”
Tim Hart from the Marine Division of
Barrus: “We feel the Show has really come together
in the end of the week, with a particularly good last weekend.”
Richard Taylor of Oyster Marine: “We are very
pleased with the Show. There has been a very high quality of
visitor and our level of enquiries has equaled that of last year’s
exceptional Show. We will be exhibiting at the London International
Boat Show which is now fast approaching!”
James Robinson of Fairline: “As of 4.30pm on
the last day, Fairline Boats had successfully sold 30 Fairline
boats amounting to UK £26 million retail deposited sales. A
tremendous Show.”
Ian Braham of Lombard Marine Finance: “This
year’s Show has been very successful and we are pleased to report
that results are up on last year, with a 10% increase in the number
of applications and a 52% increase in the value of applications
received so far. Sail boat applications were up by 30%
bringing this on a par with the number of power boat
applications. As such results show a 50:50 split between
power and sail which continues the trend towards sail boat
applications we have observed throughout 2008.
“The Southampton Boat Show has always been a successful event
for us and this has been a very positive week. Overall we are
continuing to invest in the business and as a result, have seen an
increase of 30% in turnover this year compared with the same period
last year.”
Ends
For more information please contact Rebecca Jackson on 01784
223627 or email rjackson@britishmarine.co.uk.
* unaudited