With approaching eight weeks to the National Show on 12th April, Carol and I visited the venue on Tuesday. A frequent criticism of last year’s show was that it was too dark inside the main hall, though some thought it was fine. Well this year I think everyone should consider it fine. Hall 2 has brand new, state-of-the-art lighting and it’s very bright. The black drapes on the wall no longer suck up the light. I’m sure I could very comfortably work on one of my locos. Have a look at this video and decide yourself. It’s great to see the venue listening to its customers and investing to deliver a better visitor experience.
Another change is the implementation, at the head of the entrance queues for show visitors outside the entrance Foyer, of mobile metal detector “arches”. If they detect metal in a bag or package, the item will be quickly checked but in as unintrusive a basis as possible, packages with a wand, to see what’s inside, bags with a torch. The aim is to keep us all safe. Hopefully you’re aware that the proposed Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, known as “Martyn’s Law”, contains a requirement that events expected to have 800 or more visitors at the same time need to implement a range of measures to keep us safe and conform to the law. It hasn’t been passed yet but it’s widely expected to do so. Stoneleigh, like any responsible venue, is getting ready for the future.
The members most likely to be affected by this are those bringing items to sell at M2M. We recommend that you prepare, by making items containing metal parts easily accessible. Anticipate that items will need visual inspection and think about how you can readily facilitate this. M2M check-in opens at 09:00 so try to be there when it opens. Finally, even though this may provide a level of inconvenience, making events safer is surely in everyone’s interest.
I’ll provide further updates via Shed Notices as the date of the show approaches.
Alan Regan, Show Director