Commercial Kitchen 2020, the UK’s only dedicated kitchen equipment, services and design show, has been postponed by more than one month until 14-15 July 2020 due to “the rapidly escalating coronavirus outbreak”, says organisers Diversified UK.
The show was due to take place in early June at ExCeL London for the first time, having been located in Birmingham in previous years. Now, because of “the magnitude of the unanticipated public health and safety issues posed by Covid-19”, Diversified have decided to run it the following month, alongside its award-winning sister show Casual Dining.
Vital event
“Commercial Kitchen is firmly established as the two days a year where the industry meets, launches innovations and does business. It’s a vital event for the industry, and those working in, and supplying, foodservice, catering and hospitality will need it even more in the coming months,” says Chris Brazier, group event director, Diversified UK.
“The success, as well as the safety of our exhibitors, speakers and visitors, have always been our priority and this continues to be the case. We are a strong community, we’re all in this together, and I know everyone will get behind this.
“We have spoken to many exhibitors, visitors and supporters already, and based on the situation and the feedback, the decision to run Commercial Kitchen in July for this year, alongside Casual Dining, is a logical and positive step in these difficult times,” says Brazier.
“The Commercial Kitchen team would like to thank everyone – our exhibitors, visitors, partners and suppliers – for their continued support and patience and we look forward to seeing you on 14-15 July for the busiest and biggest celebration of our industry yet.”
Consultant experts
The move has been supported by the show’s key partners ceda and FCSI UK & Ireland, which hosts an expert consultants panel event chaired by its magazine Foodservice Consultant at the show each year.
“FCSI UK&I fully supports the Commercial Kitchen Show and believes that by holding it alongside Casual Dining in 2020, it will be even more beneficial to members,” says Louise Willis, executive director at FCSI UK & Ireland.
Although the two shows will maintain separate identities and focus, visitors and exhibitors, say the organisers, will benefit from “a potential boost in seeing an even greater range of products and customers” respectively.
“Unox UK are 100% in support of the decision to move Commercial Kitchen to the new July dates,” says Gary Nunn, managing director of combi-oven manufacturer Unox UK.
“It provides more time for us to prepare and ultimately having the show sitting alongside Casual Dining can only be a good thing, as it allows for a larger buying audience.”
Further details:
Commercial Kitchen will take place at the new venue of ExCeL London on 14-15 July. For further information and to register, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk and quote priority code CK29 .
Michael Jones
