Crick Boat Show in May postponed after public health advice over coronavirus

The popular Crick Boat Show that attracts more than 30,000 visitors a year has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Organisers issued a statement this morning to say that the event, which was due to take place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend between May 23-25, will be rescheduled following public health advice.

The annual event, which takes place at Crick Marina near Daventry, is organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina.

Peter Johns, show director, said: "The health of visitors, exhibitors, volunteers, contractors, suppliers and our staff is paramount and with the currently projected duration of the Covid-19 outbreak, it has become clear that now is the right time for us to postpone the 2020 Show.

“We are aware that the show is critical to many waterway-related businesses and is the highlight of the waterways calendar for many visitors, so we will be working hard to find a suitable alternative date later in the year. A number of other events have re-scheduled and we will work as quickly as possible on our own plans.

“With around 40 key suppliers to work with on their availability we would ask for support and patience while we evaluate all of the possibilities. We will make a further announcement on new dates as soon as possible. A number of exhibitors have already encouraged us by favouring this approach.”

Matthew Symonds, of Canal & River Trust, said: “We fully support the decision of Waterways World to announce the postponement of the Show to a later date in the year and will work with them closely to secure an alternative date.”

Mike Braidley, operations director of Castle Marinas, said: “As the hosts of the Crick Boat Show, we fully understand this decision in the face of an unprecedented situation. We fully support Waterways World in identifying alternative dates, and look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2020 Crick Boat Show”.