Fast Food Fair bows out as interest fades

The Fast Food Fair, one of the industry's best-loved trade shows, is to be discontinued after 18 years due to lack of support.

The annual fair in Brighton was seen as one of the best social events on the calendar for popular caterers. But organiser Reed Exhibitions said the fair had reduced in size considerably over recent years, and that a dedicated fast food event was no longer necessary.

Exhibition director Simon Prichard added that Brighton was no longer seen as an ideal venue, pointing out that over the past five years visitor numbers had dropped from about 15,000-16,000 to just over 10,000 this year.

"With convenience products now being used across the industry, the place to compare them is at a broad-based event that attracts all the main players from every product sector," said Mr Prichard.

He said more popular caterers visited Hotelympia at Earls Court, London, and Hospitality Week in Birmingham than the Fast Food Fair.

lTo obtain tickets for Hotelympia '96, which takes place on 6-11 February, telephone the ticket hotline on 0181-984 7733.