MONEY MATTERS
Casual Dining Postponed Until September 2021 Casual Dining to run alongside lunch! and Commercial Kitchen trade shows next year
D
iversified Communications UK, the organiser of
would like to thank the whole community for their support.
the Casual Dining trade show, has confirmed the
We look forward to working together to ensure that it
show has sadly been postponed from next March
continues to be the celebration and gathering the hospitality
due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and government
industry deserves – and can be proud of.”
restrictions. The UK’s only event dedicated to the casual
Casual Dining, lunch! and Commercial Kitchen will take
dining sector (multisite and independent restaurants, pubs
place on 23-24 September 2021 at ExCeL London. Although
and bars) will now take place on 23-24 September 2021 at
the three shows will maintain separate identities and focus,
ExCeL London.
buyers and exhibitors will benefit from a boost in seeing an
In better news for the hospitality industry, this means that
even greater range of products and customers.
Casual Dining will run at the same time as its award-winning
Chris Brazier, group event director for the shows, adds: “All
sister show lunch! (the definitive event for cafes, coffee
three shows focus on innovation and inspiration for hospitality
shops and food-to-go) and the much-anticipated London
operators. There is a great potential for collaboration and
debut of Commercial Kitchen (the essential event for kitchen
there is certainly more of a crossover of attendees than ever
innovations) next year.
before as innovative and resilient brands pivot to become
The magnitude and unprecedented scale of the Covid-19
multichannel operators in testing times. We are thrilled to
outbreak and the subsequent government restrictions have
offer this strategic co-locate and feel that all three events
affected the lives and livelihoods of people and businesses
will benefit hugely from this move. While all three will remain
around the world. The hospitality sector in the UK has been
separate shows, they will in effect create one much larger
especially badly hit, despite a lack of evidence of their
hospitality event for the industry at the time that it needs
role in transmission. While the UK’s strict lockdown
it most.”
measures are expected to ease over the coming
Casual Dining, two-time winner of Best UK Trade
months, social distancing and restrictions on
Show, was created with industry leaders to provide
mass gatherings look to remain in force for March
the focal point for the sector eight years ago. It
2021. Notably, many Casual Dining exhibitors and
enjoys unrivalled support from the biggest buyers
visitors are among the millions of people currently
and decision-makers from multisite restaurants,
furloughed, which makes it even harder for firms to
pubs and bars, who have rallied behind their industry
plan their stands and product launches at this time.
show:
Eva Ellis, event manager for Casual Dining says: “Like
Martin Wolstencroft, CEO of ARC Inspirations, comments
all businesses, we have been closely following the rapidly
that he is “really looking forward to the Casual Dining show
changing developments during these difficult times. While we
2021 to get the juices flowing again!”
were hopeful that the current tough measures on restricted
“There’s never been a more important time to support
social interaction would be lifted by March, there are still too
each other and our industry show,” says James Spragg, CEO
many questions surrounding hotels, travel, social distancing,
of the Big Table Group (formerly CDG).
and individual company policies, to make it viable to run
Mark Teed, head of food at Star Pubs & Bars, is also looking
Casual Dining in March 2021. Clearly, the best, safest and
forward to getting back to the show: “After turbulent times,
most responsible option for everyone involved is to wait and
Casual Dining 2021 will be the place to share new ideas,
host an even better show in September 2021 alongside lunch!
pursue new opportunities and celebrate new game changers
and Commercial Kitchen. We believe this model will give all
in our industry.”
our valued exhibitors and buyers even more opportunities to
“We need to get together, find innovation and support each
do business, in an even safer environment, when they need
other more than ever. See you at Casual Dining 2021,” says
it most.”
Steven Mangleshot, executive chef at wagamama.
“The success as well as the safety of our exhibitors, visitors,
This is echoed by Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group (ASK
speakers and partners has always been our priority and we
Italian, Zizzi, Coco Di Mama) who says, “we’re looking forward
are pleased that everyone is getting behind this tough but
to the most important Casual Dining show yet in 2021.”
necessary decision. The good news is that most of the event
For
more
information,
please
visit
www.
planning is already in place, and we go into 2021 with an
casualdiningshow.co.uk, www.lunchshow.co.uk and www.
incredible amount of goodwill and encouragement. The team
commercialkitchenshow.co.uk
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Fastfood Professional • December and January 2020-21
December and January 2020-21 • Fastfood Professional
53
