Frankfurt Launches Challenge to LBF

by Jim Milliot and Amanda-Jane Doran, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 5/5/2006

Looking to exploit some general unhappiness with the ExCel exhibition center in the Docklands section of London, the Frankfurt Book Fair has created an event to compete with the London Book Fair. To be held in central London, the Book Fair Earl’s Court will take place April 16-18, some six weeks after the LBF and shortly before Bologna.

In a release sent out this morning, Frankfurt CEO Juergen Boos said the fair has garnered the support of British publishers and agents. Penguin Group, Random House Group and Faber & Faber have backed the new fair as has Hachette Livre UK whose chief Tim Hely Hutchinson said his company does not intend to exhibit in the Docklands next year. Harper Collins is close to making a decision about which fair they will attend.

The Earl Court show is initially taking 28,000 sq. meters and can expand to 45,000 sq. meters. The location is close to Olympia, the former venue of LBF; Reed Exhibitions, sister company of PW, moved out of Olympia to ExCel this year in response to the growth of the show. The new location generated complaints that ranged from its distance from central London to narrow aisles. Reed has worked to address many issues, including taking over both convention halls which will provide wider aisles and a better floor plan. Other upgrades include better food, more restrooms and improved signage. The days have also been changed for 2007, moving from Sunday-Tuesday to Monday-Wednesday (March 5-7).