MANCHESTER’S CAR SHOW AXED

The North West’s largest indoor classic car event is unexpectedly abandoned on cost grounds after six successful years at Event City – and organisers say that it’s too big to rehome elsewhere

‘It was profitable, but third-party costs have stopped me from carrying on’ AMR DIRECTOR, ANDY ROUSE

The Footman James Classic Car Show Manchester will not run next year due to rising third party costs increases.

Organisers, AMR Events Limited, made the surprise announcement on 7 December, shocking clubs and visitors alike. Director, Andy Rouse, said: ‘There’s nowhere big enough to rehome it where there aren’t large incumbent shows already. That means the likes of the NEC [Birmingham] and the ExCeL [London] are out, for obvious reasons.

‘It was a profitable little event but compulsory third-party costs have stopped me from carrying on.

‘Feedback has been 100 per cent positive and I can’t fault [event sponsor and classic car insurer] Footman James – they’ve gone above and beyond every time I’ve needed them.’

Held in Event City, an exhibition complex close to the Trafford Centre shopping complex, the Footman James Classic Car Show Manchester’s mixture of indoor displays and outdoor rally action (which was curated by Rallying With Group B) attracted the likes of former Wheeler Dealers co-host Edd China, who appeared at this year’s show. It was first held in 2013, following a separate event held at the same venue by Cheshire Auto Promotions.

David Bond, managing director at Footman James, commented: ‘It’s such a pity that the FJ Manchester Classic Car Show has been cancelled. We are especially disappointed for Andy and the team at AMR Event Ltd who have worked tirelessly to create such a great show. The show will be missed by those who have attended in the past and we hope to see Andy return in the future.’

Peel Holdings, the property conglomerate that owns both Event City and the Trafford Centre, was unavailable for comment as Classic Car Weekly went to press.

The classic car community reacted with surprise and upset at the news..

Stand organiser for the Maestro and Montego Owners’ Club, Tanya Field, said: ‘I felt it was an indoor show for the enthusiasts that was considerably more affordable than the NEC for our members.

‘Securing space for displays at the show was easier than it was at the NEC.’

Young Guns Classics event coordinator, Paul Wright, said: ‘It was a show on the up, growing every year, with more clubs, individual entries and public through the door.’

Footman James Classic Car Show Manchester compère and content producer, Paul Woodford, said: ‘The live rally demo in the car park outside was ground-breaking, and was very well run. I can’t actually believe it won’t run again.’

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