Fantastic looking exhibitor stands attracted high volumes of visitors to the first day of SOLEX at the NEC with Hall 5 buzzing with activity.

The exhibition is looking fantastic and exhibitors agreed there was a great deal of optimism about the place.

If you're considering coming to the show over the next couple of days, then make sure you do because you won't be disappointed.

It has been a great start to Solex 2019.

To register for your free entry click here.

LifestyleGarden have won the Best New Product Award at SOLEX for their revolutionary DuraOcean furniture.

The judges – Chris Roberts, chairman of Van Hage, and Iain Wylie, chief executive of the GCA - were impressed with the story behind DuraOcean.

Chris Roberts said: “DuraOcean was by far the most outstanding product at the show. LifestyleGarden have done a wonderful job in producing an amazing product and now they are doing a brilliant job in selling it. It ticks all the boxes and is right on the news.”

The Best New Product Award was presented by Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA.

Second was the Everdure 4K Grill.

Kettler scooped the Best Large Stand Award at SOLEX and received the trophy from Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA, on the first day of the show.

The judges – Chris Roberts, chairman of Van Hage, and Iain Wylie, chief executive of the GCA – felt the stand was really stunning and beautifully lit.

“It is the biggest stand at the show and yet there is a high standard throughout,” said Chris Roberts. “All the brands stand out and there is a wonderful flow.”

Second place went to the Hartman stand and third to Bramblecrest.

Barlow Tyrie have been judged the Best Small Stand at SOLEX on the first day of the show.

“The stand looks amazing,” said the judges. “We were particularly impressed with the flooring, lighting, contrast and the overall look of the stand.

Barlow Tyrie received the award from Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA.

Second was Firepits UK and third Extreme Lounging.

Blue Diamond (group), Scotsdales (large centre), Whitehall Lacock (large) and Baytree of Hilgay won Gold Awards in GTN's Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Team Awards, presented this evening at SOLEX 2019.

Presenting the awards at a drinks reception, kindly provided by sponsors SOLEX, GTN's MD Trevor Pfeiffer said: "Across the groups we decided the winner should be Blue Diamond who have seen like-for-like sales increase by over 25% this year.

“For big centres we have two winners, Scotsdales and Whitehall Lacock, whose displays really impressed our team of experts.

“We visited lots of small centres doing a great job of selling garden furniture this year but one stood out a mile – it may have been the purple carpet – but the results speak for themselves with sales sometimes beating sales at the main Baytree garden centre, our small centre winners are Baytree of Hilgay.”

You'll be able to read more about the winners and see pictures taken by the judges during their visits in future issues of Garden Trade News and the e-mail newsletter GTN Xtra.

Alton Garden Centre and Baytree of Hilgay won golds in GTN’s Greatest BBQ Awards presented at SOLEX this evening.

GTN's MD Trevor Pfeiffer said: “Our small centre winner is a store that has been added to the business of an established player, as so many have in the past 12 months.  Baytree at Hilgay never sold BBQs before but this year, with live BBQ cooking demonstrations every weekend, they’ve really become serious BBQ players.

“Our big BBQ team winner is no stranger to The Greatest Awards, the double award-winning team at Altons are winners again.”

You'll be able to read more about the winners and see pictures taken by the judges during their visits in future issues of Garden Trade News and the e-mail newsletter GTN Xtra.

SOLEX offered the outdoor furniture and leisure industry its first opportunity to see LifestyleGarden’s new 2020 ranges, including the new DuraOcean chair, which is helping to tackle the world’s ocean plastic issue head on. 

Representative of a significant period of research and development, the new DuraOcean range showcases true product innovation from LifestyleGarden® and its parent company, ScanCom.

Made from recycled fishing nets, ropes and ocean plastic waste, the DuraOcean chair is setting the benchmark for sustainable material usage and design within the garden and outdoor leisure sector.

No other supplier has brought to market such a commercially viable ‘ocean plastic’ product, nor have they made it so easy for eco-conscious consumers to bring such products into their homes and gardens.

Paul Cohen, Sales Director at LifestyleGarden, said: “The DuraOcean chair has been created to tackle a global issue – ocean plastic. As company that is led by our motto ‘Doing Business the Right Way’, we feel we have a responsibility in ensuring our impact upon the world is as positive as it can be.

"Joining in the fight to eradicate plastic from our oceans - an issue that has been declared a worldwide crisis - feels like a natural and obvious choice. We hope that by bringing the DuraOcean to consumers, that we can play our part in raising awareness of this issue, whilst also helping people to look at the impact they have upon the world.”

To find out more about LifestyleGarden’s DuraOcean ranges, plus other new 2020 collections, be sure to visit the team on-stand (stand 605 and 610) at SOLEX. A special drinks reception will be taking place on Tuesday throughout the day, where representatives from LifestyleGarden and the Eden Project will be joined by Inbal Kahaner, the designer of the DuraOcean chair and LifestyleGarden’s popular Nassua and Cannes collections.

Find out more

To find out more about LifestyleGarden’s market leading ranges, and how they can help drive profits in 2020 please visit www.lifestylegarden.com. You can also learn more about ScanCom and its commitment to a more sustainable future by visiting www.scancom.net

The ever popular Florenity range from Norfolk Leisure has taken a modern and contemporary twist this year with the launch of a stunning new blue version at SOLEX.

The vibrant Galaxy collection puts a smile on your face, bright and fresh but still retaining its ‘Vintage Luxury’ feel.  This lovely assemblage of small collectable pieces will brighten any showroom space and make an exceptional eye catching display.

New items have been added to the range for 2020 including a folding bench, storage box and raised planter.

Made from FSC100% Eucalyptus timber with a durable paint finish.

This new colour is sure to be a winner in 2020

Zest 4 Leisure have welcomed Cardiff Metropolitan University to its SOLEX stand (310).

Zest is working in conjunction with the university on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. Gareth Barham, Principle Lecturer of Product Design at the university, along with Luke Roberts (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) Product Designer, spoke to visitors to the stand, and saw how Zest exhibits its range of award-winning timber garden furniture.

Zest’s new KTP product developments project team has been focusing on product innovation and customer satisfaction.

Luke said: “KTP enables us to translate consumer insights into tangible product benefits, that ultimately help ensure product longevity and improve user and brand experience.”

Gareth added: “The Knowledge Transfer Partnership is an exciting collaborative project between Cardiff Metropolitan University and Zest 4 Leisure. Its aim is to develop a new range of products for the home garden which will be easy to assemble and meet contemporary needs of homeowners.”

Tom Chambers has launched the new ‘Fenton’ Planter Bench at SOLEX. Handcrafted from FSC certified timber the bench features deep, rustic planters perfect for colourful bedding plants.

The seat section is curved for comfort and simply slots into place. Retailing at £149.99 the bench is available on the company's special SOLEX Show Deal.

See the full range of British-made garden furniture and Tom Chambers' brand new range of innovative garden covers at stand 315.

Following a successful year for Kettler, the brand is leading the way as the home of outdoor living by launching two new brands at SOLEX – the Menos and Kalos range.

With its simple design, Menos is perfect for those with less space both indoor and out. Featuring a number of innovative materials in a range of vibrant colours, this new line is sure to be popular amongst those who prefer a more contemporary look.

Kettler continues to expand, with the introduction of outdoor heating and lighting products.

Paul Bevington, Managing Director at Kettler, said: "Both Menos and Kalos are an indicator of the strides we are making here at Kettler, expanding on our existing range to continue to offer innovative garden products to suit all customer needs and styles."

NEW for 2020 all Grillstream BBQs now come with LeisureGrow’s revolutionary HYBRID SYSTEM. The new system lets users decide whether to cook on gas or charcoal each time they cook by simply lifting the grills and either adding or taking away charcoal from the BBQ. 

Now cooking on a Grillstream with charcoal is just as easy as cooking on gas by using the burners to light the charcoal and then turning them off for that traditional charcoal BBQ taste.

Jody Grimmer, managing director for LeisureGrow Products said; “We think our new Hybrid Grillstream system is just what the BBQ trade and consumer has been waiting for.  Now you don’t have to choose between the convenience of gas or the nostalgia and taste of charcoal – consumers can decide each time how to cook their BBQ depending on how much time they have and what they’re cooking.  We’re really excited to be sharing this at SOLEX.”

To support the New Hybrid System for Grillstream, the LeisureGrow team has made investments in some great POS and marketing tools for Grillstream including videos, shop-in-shop retail solutions, and packaging which is also on display at SOLEX.  And if that’s not enough to whet visitors’ appetites, BBQ aficionado Dr Sweetsmoke will be on the Grillstream stand at the show, cooking up some tasty nibbles and dishing out BBQ tips to customers.

Demonstrations on a Grillstream barbecue by Dr Sweetsmoke proved popular on day one at SOLEX.

TV Gardening Celebrity David Domoney was at Solex 2019 today and the Solex Sun caught up with him on the Hartman stand. 

Commenting on the new trends at Solex he said "One of the biggest things is trying to make garden furniture become as much a feature rather than just a functional table and chairs. With the innovation within porcelain surfaces for tables, the ability to be able to add a pattern over the surface gives a more natural effect which enables you to pick up some of the pigments or the colour in the surface of the table with that of the graphite around the outside of the of the chairs as well and it's giving much more of a chic look."

Aluminum lounge style furniture is also a growing part of Solex this year.  Hartman Marketing Manager, Michelle Bradford added: "Looking around the show at aluminum it has become quite apparent that times are changing and we've adapted our range quite a bit this year it's quite a way forward for Hartman and the aluminum range we had it with Titan last year but we've developed three different ranges that incorporate aluminum and the ceramic glass that we just talking about goes across both weave and aluminum so you can have that contemporary look with traditional weave but we've also put it on that aluminum to give that ultra modern look and feel."

Hartman acknowledge that a decline in sales of weave going forwards may be due to the plastics issue but feel there is still a big traditional part of the market that will be looking for new colours such as Ash in their Heritage range.

David, who loves the lightness of the aluminum ranges making it more flexible for peoples needs went on to say: "The one thing that always gets me about this particular show is the level of innovation. You would naturally assume that one particular product group cannot continue to evolve. But because of the way that technology is moving to create more diversity in manufacturing is enabling new and exciting things to come about and if we are focusing in to try and encourage younger people with stylish designs to invest in garden furniture and invest time in their own garden that's got to be good for the industry."

Hartman are on stand 505 at Solex 2019

Charles Taylor has launched a fantastic new Gold Series range at SOLEX.

Richard Ball, Director , said: "The show is the first foot steps for the 2020 season. We have a number of new products to launch to add to our fantastic range.

"More importantly we are uncovering a completely new style of wooden seating which will make its debut at SOLEX.

"We have again had tremendous growth throughout the 2019 season and with the new range and products we are positive this will continue.

"Charles Taylor was introduced five years ago and has now achieved the leading UK manufacturer of wooden outdoor seating.

"The stylish design and with the UK quality has quickly moved Charles Taylor as leaders in their field.

"We are really excited about the new range and looking forward to the launch."

Outdoor and indoor rattan furniture experts Daro unveiled the latest furniture in their popular collections at SOLEX. As one of the UK's leading producers in furniture for outdoor living the Daro collection is broad and includes a variety of styles and designs to suit all tastes.

At the midway point through the show, the latest modular lounging designs have proved popular. Being a classic choice, formal dining sets have always been a firm favourite. But this year in particular, more relaxed dining options are having their moment in the spotlight.

The team has also officially launched the innovative new 'Tailored' range at SOLEX. For the first time, stockists will be able to create a custom outdoor furniture range by following four easy steps:

1. Choose design. 2. Choose weave type. 3. Choose fabric. 4. Choose delivery quantity - containers and low MOQs are catered for.

As the Tailored range launches, the existing Fresco and Daro collections continue to grow. Look out for newest pieces to popular Lazio and Barcelona ranges.

To find out more about - Tailored, watch the video.  https://youtu.be/ocJ_k0759Lk
Say hello. Get in touch today.
Call: +44  (0) 1604 758989
Web: www.daro-outdoor.co.uk
Email: sales@daro-cane.co.uk
#Agreatplacetobesitting

Outback have launched their Hybrid BBQ solution at Solex 2019 with models that feature charcoal cooking, lit by the gas burners, alongside traditional gas BBQ burners.

MD Mark Osborne told Solex Sun this morning. "New for 2020 every model of Ranger Magnum, which are our three burner, Jupiter which is our four burner and then Signature which is our six burner will come with a charcoal basket.

"We're working with a UK production company who manufacture very dense charcoal briquettes so you can light this briquette with gas underneath the charcoal baskets, get it to a stage where it's just beginning to burn then turn off the gas and it will continue burning and you can cook on it as charcoal."

"We ran a consumer show two weeks ago down at Longleat a few weeks ago showcasing the models and getting some consumer feedback on what we were looking to launch for next year. When you show people charcoal to cook on a gas barbecue it is just what they want. Everybody loves the convenience of gas but what they also want is the charcoal flavour."

Also new for 2020 the Signature range comes ready assembled on a pallet and along with the charcoal basket it also boasts extra drawers and storage, acacia wood chopping board (passed for contact with food) plus a pull out tray for the patio gas botttle.

Outback are on stand No 335 at Solex 2019.

Barlow Tyrie's design team have created new additions that sit perfectly with its current ranges. The company is excited to introduce its new products and reinvigorated designs.

Layout collection – is a modular deep seating system which brings elegant indoor lounging to outdoor spaces. The collection is comprised of two upholstered seat sizes and seven tables which together create intimate or grand seating environments. Create and configure an individual system that perfectly fits your own outdoor living, as you wish. Upholstered backs and arms are separate components, using the best Sunbrella® Rain® waterproof fabrics that the outdoor industry has to offer. These can be attached on any side of the seats to create sofas, corner sectional, loungers, chairs, and many asymmetrical configurations. Refined frames support both the upholstered seats and a choice of teak or terrazzo table tops. Layout is a creative kit of parts to build your perfect outdoor living room. (designers: Nathalie de Leval and Andrew Jones)

Woodland Screen collection – is a companion design to the Layout Collection and can be used to create greater intimacy and enclosure for seating configurations. The light, random pattern of the teak slats, their soft edges and the pebble-like feet were inspired by nature and create an atmosphere of quiet sophistication. Available in two size: Landscape – h. 133cm x w. 228cm and Portrait – h. 178cm x w. 122cm. (designers: Nathalie de Leval and Andrew Jones)

Barlow Tyrie Ltd.

Email: UKsales@teak.com
Email: info@teak.com

Americans certainly know how to barbecue so it was no surprise that the BBQ Rubs and Sauces from the United States caused lots of interest on the BBQ Gourmet.

The company's Richard Orme said garden centres were showing interest in his products because they would make great linked sales alongside BBQs.

Mercer Leisure launch their biggest range of garden furniture to date where quality and customer service comes hand in hand.

Build up to SOLEX is under way and Mercer Leisure has put the finishing touches to their extensive 2020 range of garden furniture.

Building on the success of 2019 Mercer Leisure has expanded the numbers of ranges that can be own branded offering individual customers unrivalled value for money.

A preview of their 2020 collection can be found on their website www.merceragencies.com using the password heatwave offering 18 ranges of furniture and all are on display in their 34,000 sq ft showrooms in Northern Ireland.

These ranges feature a full selection of 14 different styles of synthetic rattan weave to suit everyone’s taste and purse, all with a 3 to 5 year UV guarantee.

All the cushions through the Mercer Leisure collection are BSFR weatherproof fabrics giving the perfect solution to our Great British weather.

Mercer leisure will be offering a full range of Solex Special Offers over the duration of the Exhibition. Pallet deals are available on a full range of bistro sets, love seats, teak patio sets, gravity relaxers, parasols, bases and much much more.

Each year we launch our annual clear out sale on the first day for the early birds at SOLEX which will be on a first come first served basis – you need to be early to get the best deals!

Mercer Leisure has a comprehensive sales team covering the whole of the UK and Ireland all of whom will be available at SOLEX and their details can be found on our website.

The team looks forward to meeting with you at the NEC – please pop on and say hello.

www.merceragencies.com      
Stands 420 & 425

GTN were at the NEC early on Monday to capture all the action from the build-up to the three-day SOLEX, which started today (Tuesday)...

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND

America’s leading gas grill brand Char-Broil is at SOLEX 2019 on Stand #340, showing its flexible range of BBQ grills that suit any outdoor space from large to small. 

All products combine cutting-edge innovation, top performance and clever design.  Stars of the show include the All-Star portable BBQ, available in gas or electric models; a Gas2Coal hybrid BBQ with 4 burners; and a Professional ‘Double Header’ enabling fish, meat or vegetables to be grilled completely separately.  

With Char-Broil, innovation is at the heart of everything. Char-Broil brought one of the first charcoal grills to market in 1948. In the years since, it has been delivering innovation continuously.  Infrared is one of the most well-known of Char-Broil’s unique technologies, because it has helped revolutionise BBQ cooking by giving up to 50% juicier results, and a perfectly even distribution of heat without any flare-ups. The All-Star and Professional ranges feature this innovative TRU-Infrared^TM cooking technology.

For those who only have a balcony or small garden but want the performance of a premium grill, the Char-Broil All-Star BBQ is the ultimate versatile and portable solution. Available in either gas or electric models, it can either be placed in its stand - with foldable side shelves for extra workspace - or it can be detached from the stand to place on a table-top. Cast iron grill grates make it durable, rust resistant and easy to clean, and the All-Star delivers the trademark Char-Broil TRU-Infrared cooking performance using indirect infrared heat to evenly cook producing 50% juicier results every time.

As well as delivering a superior cooking performance on the 1,600 cm² cooking area, the All-Star offers distinctive, premium design and durability. It has a cast-aluminium lid with a lid-mounted temperature gauge and a porcelain enamelled firebox to deliver a perfect, controlled BBQ experience. The grill can be separated from its cart by opening the two lockers on each side; the pocket handles facilitate transport of the grill.

The All-Star also has an innovative GearTrax accessory that turns it from a low-level portable BBQ to full height wheeled cart, making it easy to manoeuvre.

Another innovation at the Show will be the Char-Broil Gas2Coal.  Why choose between gas or charcoal when there is a grill that can do both? And can even do both at the same time, with the two separate charcoal trays.  The new Char-Broil Gas2Coal 440 converts from gas to charcoal in less than 60 seconds and without requiring any tools. Available in black painted steel, the Gas2Coal has 4 stainless steel burners and Surefire ignition so that you’re ready to cook at the touch of a button.

Char-Broil at Solex, Stand No 340

For more info visit www.charboil.eu

Garden Impressions is covering all the options at SOLEX this week. With extensive ranges across all styles of garden furniture in a multitude of different outdoor materials.

Still the choice of the majority of consumers, our Rattan Collections cover all the Garden Lounging and Dining options at the most competitive prices, allowing you, the retailer, to offer a comprehensive range with great value for money.

With the fast-growing demand for that more contemporary look, aluminium is the garden furniture of choice for many. Contemporary doesn’t mean expensive, so come and see the range of looks available.

Mixing Aluminium with Rope provides yet another choice. Garden Impressions Rope material has been developed to be fast drying and UV resistant.

Mix and match from our wide collection of dining chairs with solid teak dining tables.

Don’t forget about all the add-on accessory products. Again, Garden Impressions have everything you need – Cantilever and Central Pole Parasols, Benches, Occasional Chairs, Outdoor Heaters, Canopies and Gazebos!

Come and see it all for yourself. Find us on Stand 355

GLATZ are the leading worldwide parasol experts, a Swiss family company with more than 100 years’ experience.

As their exclusive UK partner, AEL are chosen and trusted by discerning customers as we offer the most comprehensive and innovative choice of parasols on the market.

We supply a premium line of centre pole and cantilever parasols that offer UV protection from the sun with UPF 50+ rating, available in a wide range of styles, sizes, base options, LED lighting and protective accessories. Quality fabrics include a choice of up to 70 bespoke colours in the Class 4 & 5 fabric range.

See us on stand 230 for a full demonstration and to see the range.

Cadac are on stand 120 showcasing its range of premium patio barbecues, including its award-winning Citi Chef 50 (SRP £300) and extended range of Citi Chef 40 (SRP £200) barbecues, designed with urban living in mind.

With apartment living and home entertaining on the rise, Cadac’s Citi Chef BBQ range offers the perfect solution for where space is at a premium. Two additional colours have been added to the Citi Chef 40 range, with four colour to choose from and a brilliant display unit Cadac are anticipating huge consumer demand for 2020.

The Citi Chefs’ stylish good looks are coupled with all the benefits you’d come to expect from Cadac; easy to build, easy to use, easy to clean and easy to stow with a range of modular drop-in surfaces to bring out the gourmet in you.

Cadac barbecues offer a unique style with a premium finish, there is no China badge slapping in sight, and are all supported by an extensive POS programme and UK based warranty support. To find out more visit the team on stand 120 or go to www.cadacinternational.com/uk.

www.cadacinternational.com
Email: info@cadacuk.com
Tel: 0333 2000 363

Lifestyle are introducing a new unique glass fronted heater into their range for 2019!

Utilising the most economic Blue Flame Burner Technology and with a complete Glass Frontage the “Lifestyle Azure Blue Flame Heater“ takes mobile heating to a new level. Its Contemporary design will see the Azure Blue Flame fit perfectly into any modern home, conservatory or orangery giving the perfect solution for any spot heating around your home.

Also new for 2020 Lifestyle are introducing our Tuscany range of  Outdoor Furniture sets & gas fire pits, manufactured with Powder Coated Aluminium Frames and  8mm round textilene decorative rope plus water resistant UKFR Cushions. The contemporary & modern gas firepits, are a new addition to our popular existing range of wood burning fire pits & baskets.

Stand no 305 located right in front of the entrance.

www.lifestyleappliances.co.uk

Contact: sales@lifestyleappliances.co.uk

Office: 01527 65126

The Pagoda team are highly experienced in sourcing garden furniture in China and Vietnam, with their own offices in Hangzhou for over 25 years.

"We know all the best factories and have good working relationships with them," said a company spokesperson.

"We ship containers direct from factories to your warehouse and can offer a door to door or FOB China port service.

"We are a member of LOFA so all our Pagoda products conform to UKFR standards.

"If quantities are sufficient, we can own-brand products in mixed containers of maximum 4 products.

"All shipments are checked to international AQL standards by our own inspectors.

"We look forward to speaking with you on stand 560 at SOLEX."

Tradition and passion are at the fore for Tramontina and, for them, it’s not just about the product but also the pleasure the product can bring. They have evolved an ethos of bringing Brazilian hospitality to the global market where people get together to enjoy good times and create lasting memories.

Tramontina’s Churrasco collection is specifically designed to bring people together to enjoy the best of times with an outstanding collection of high-quality kit for fun, authentic Brazilian style barbequing, including an outstanding collection of wooden gift/presentation boxed sets.

From essential accessories such as skewers, no end of utensils and wooden chopping/serving boards to exquisite 16- piece carving sets and steak knife & fork sets in an array of styles - everything you need for the ultimate in sociable outdoor cooking and dining.

Outstanding features prevail throughout - sculpted ergonomic handles, super-sharp serrated stainless-steel blades and distinctive stainless-steel rivets which guarantee safety and security as well as a distinctive appearance, epitomising the stylish good looks and high quality of the brand.

High quality polywood handles (real wood), from FSC certified forests, are dishwasher safe, impact and high temperature resistant and, uniquely, come with a 5-year warranty.

Although Churrasco is at the fore, the Tramontina portfolio has recently been bolstered with the addition of cookware, utensils, knife blocks and more, offering a more diverse choice for everyone to enjoy.

Europa Leisure director, Chris Fitton, is looking forward to showing garden centres his expanded range of marble, stone and ceramic mosaic garden tables that are sure to provide a point of difference in a garden centre outdoor leisure sales area.

Europa Leisure are on stand 525 at Solex 2019.

Over the last three years LOFA have been working with FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) and HTS (Hertfordshire Trading Standards) on an initiative to ensure that all cushions sold by LOFA members comply with Trading Standards and the Governments Fire Safety Regulations.

Lofa have been working with HTS, who are our primary authority partner, to enable our members to comply with all the most relevant and up to date Fire Safety Regulations. As an association we feel that taking this route will not only help our members but also safeguard retailers and consumers.

After 3 years, and an investment of over £600k , all our members offering cushions and cushioned furniture are now 100% compliant and have earned LOFAssured Accreditation. These members have been put through an audit of certification, documentation and traceability to ensure only safe, compliant products are offered to the market place. The rigorous process included product testing by an independent test house. LOFA also tested a number of garden cushions from non-lofa members, that were brought from a variety of retailers both online and high street and 8 out of 10 of these cushions failed the legal requirements resulting in products being withdrawn from sale.

LOFA will be pushing this message out to consumers and retailers alike via a big marketing campaign across press, online, TV and Radio, we also want to push this message out in stores to tie up with this campaign.

To find out more about LOFAssured visit Stand 350.

The Solex Award presentation for the Best Small Stand, Best Large Stand, Best New Product, Best BBQ Retailer and Best Furniture Retailer will take place at 5.30pm in the new LOFA Lounge situated at the rear of Hall 5 on the first day of the Solex show, Tuesday 9 July.

Trevor Pfeiffer from Garden Trade News and the team of GTN's Greatest Awards Experts, have on behalf of LOFA been out and about visiting Garden Centres up and down the country to find out who are the Greatest BBQ Retailers and Furniture Retailers of 2019 and throughout the first day of the show a team of experts will be judging the exhibitor stands and the new products entries, this will culminate in the Solex Awards being presented by LOFA Chairman, Mark Osborne at the end of Show Day 1. 

To find out this year’s winners please come and join us at 5.30pm for Strawberries and Fizz and the award presentations.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Solex Awards: 17:00-17:30, Tuesday 9 July 2019

SOLEX has launched its very own website to help visitors to register and attend the event.

This new website has an interactive exhibition map that allows you to see who will be exhibiting and if you want to know more about the exhibitors you are only one click away from their websites. There is also the chance to win a lovely weekend away in the beautiful county of Hampshire.

The website – www.solexexhibition.com – will also give information on how to get there, facilities, hotel links and general build up to the event. 

This new portal will also be linked to its own Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin accounts where you can interact and keep up to date with all the news views and current product information.