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Norman Clark has been a regular exhibitor at the Imperial for the last 18 years, but will not be there this year - for much the same reasons as Shooting SHED.

Andrea Clark has asked me to post this letter to customers:

"URGENT NOTICE

Due to the last minute changes by the NRA in trading conditions for the Imperial meeting it is with deep regret that this year we will not be exhibiting on the Green.

However we have managed to secure a small stand at the Arms fair in the umbrella tent for 5th – 6th July only, where Norman will have a small selection of our usual products but we strongly advise that you pre order anything you need.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the decision was not made lightly

Please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you

Norman & Andrea"

Oh dear......

I have been speaking with Andrea for the last 3ish weeks on this matter and I know both she and Norman are very disappointed to be missing the Imperial however they really had no choice in the matter.

I will be attending the Imperial, hopefully for the middle weekend however it will solely be to support Chris Quartermaine of Actionclear AUS and although I may well stick a few odds and ends in my pocket I will not formally be there as the Shooting SHED. Christel has decided against attending as things were left far too late for us to arrange things at home properly. We are also very disappointed in this respect.

Chris and I will be speaking to Andrew Mercer and Chris Dyers of the NRA on the future of trade stands during the weekend we visit.

This is not good (for anyone). What changes have the NRA made to prompt this decision?

Racalman wrote:This is not good (for anyone). What changes have the NRA made to prompt this decision?

Apart from the 500% plus increase in the cost?

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... t=imperial

The NRA have now reduced some of the costs and made some allowances however it is all a bit late for us.

phaedra1106 wrote:

Racalman wrote:This is not good (for anyone). What changes have the NRA made to prompt this decision?

Apart from the 500% plus increase in the cost?

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... t=imperial

Thanks, I've been on holiday and I missed that thread.

ovenpaa wrote:The NRA have now reduced some of the costs and made some allowances however it is all a bit late for us.

This is a SHAME that NRA makes impossible the presence of firms such as Norman Clark during the most of the Imperial.

This is against the interests of the many competitors Norman helps suring this period making repairs and adjustments. The whole community will suffer from technocratic this senseless decision.

R.G.C

Perhaps I am of the wrong mindset, that's probably why I will never make my fortune, but surely the attendance of the maximum number of gunsmiths/ dealers especially those that provide a good service to shooters should be encouraged. Even if it means that trade stands only cover the costs and don't generate substantial income for an event. After all the Imperial or the Phoenix would be less of an attraction to shooters without the trade shows.
I suppose getting the balance right is the challenge, especially when you have long established firms already on site 365 days a year and who are paying hefty rents. They must get a little resentful of interlopers taking 90% of the trade on just a few days of the year.
Setting a fair rent for all must be an absolute nightmare.