Expo newcomers attract interest (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Expo newcomers attract interest

BUSINESS leaders in Salisbury have a challenge on their hands - how to make the annual South Wilts Business Expo even better next year.

The third annual business exhibition, which took place at the City Hall on Wednesday last week, attracted 70 exhibitors and hundreds of visitors.

Stands went on sale at the end of April and were all sold within six weeks.

Such was the demand from businesses wanting to take part that the upper floor of the City Hall was added to the exhibition space.

The exhibition is put on by Salisbury & district camber of commerce and industry and chamber president Neil Philpott said "lots of positives" had come out of the event.

Despite the idea of using the upstairs not having been a particular success, with fewer visitors in that area, the day overall had been "a huge success for Salisbury".

Mr Philpott said: "The atmosphere and the ambience downstairs were spot-on.

"And the credit goes to the businesses - they are the ones that make it work and I cannot thank them enough.

"We now need to get together and decide where we want to go next year."

Among the visitors were mayor and mayoress of Salisbury Patrick and Mary Paisey, Salisbury MP Robert Key and students from Wyvern College and the Godolphin School.

Other students were taking part - catering and hospitality students from Salisbury College were serving canaps, with wine provided by exhibitor Sunbird Wines.

The college's hairdressing and beauty therapy students gave demonstrations and the photography students had put together a gallery of their pictures.

Two newcomers to Expo attracted a great deal of interest - the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down and Solstice Park, the new business park taking shape beside the A303 at Amesbury.

The Solstice Park team reported many inquiries from businesses thinking about relocating to the 160-acre, £250m development.

Peter Barefoot, partner of Alder King Property Consultants, lead agent for the business park, said the greatest interest was in smaller units and offices.

He added that the Somerfield petrol station and store were due to open this week, followed by the Amesbury Archer pub.