We share the disappointment of the organisers and exhibitors who worked so hard to prepare for the Boats2020 show in Southampton, only to see it cancelled just hours before it was due to get underway. Of course we appreciate the reasons why that had to occur and fully understand that the safety of the public had to be the over-riding consideration.
As with the regular Southampton Boat Shows, we had built and installed the pontoons that made up the on-the-water marina. Originally designed for 80 boats, down from the 200+ berth facilities of previous years, as the show got closer we were asked to install additional fingers, but as always it was all ready on time for the exhibitors to moor up their boats and prepare for the opening day. At 10.00pm on the Thursday night we received a phone call advising us that the show would not open on the Friday. It was quite a shock!
As of last Friday we had removed the bridges and we are commencing the removal of pontoons and piles this week.
Let's hope that next year's event has better luck.