Despite the recessionary gloom and a tube strike, last month's Exclusively Housewares delivered another good year for visitors and exhibitors alike, according to organiser Brooke House Exhibitions.
Exclusively Housewares: popular with visitors and exhibitors

The tube stoppage brought most of central London to a halt, yet visitor numbers to the show were up 6% on 2008, albeit weighted more heavily than usual to the show's first day.

Exclusively Housewares also continues to be a sell-out for exhibitors and this trend looks set to continue, as over a third of stands have already been rebooked for 2010.

This year's show offered a line-up of 121 housewares and tabletop exhibitors, which included some 25 companies new to the show - amongst them 95% Danish.

Managing director Mike McLintock described Exclusively Housewares as "our best show for years", while at another new exhibitor, ACP Books, UK & export sales director Lynda Ayres said: "It's been a very good show for us, and not just for new business, but also to have the chance to talk to cookshop owners about 'what's hot now?' and 'what's next?'. It's been an inspiring couple of days!"

And John Wilkins, managing director of PMI (Aladdin/Stanley), said Exclusively Housewares was "the best show in the calendar. The quality of visitors exceeds any other show."

On the visitor front, Fenwicks buyer Helen Shaw commented: "I've opened three new accounts, which is very pleasing - and the sandwiches are brilliant!"

Exclusively Housewares 2010 will take place on June 8 and 9, once again at the Business Design Centre in London.