Bespoked show announces move to London

Great that the organiser has clarified.
Seems like the Council or whoever owns the exhibiton space in Bristol has been a bit short sighted - pretty sure more office space is not needed in that city, just riding through look out for all the large 'to rent' ads everywhere!!

Well said.

As for accessibility - the Olympic park had 250,000 people in and out of it for ten days last August. Seems to have gone OK.

Well done cycling city Bristol for failing to support a real local success story. That's more of them pesky grockles who won't come to Bristol now.

I wish it had moved to a velodrome outside London though.

I organise Bespoked and would like to make a few comments in response.

Bespoked is only 2 people my wife an artist and graphic designer and myself a frame builder. Our sole intention is to promote framebuilding to a wider audience.

Firstly the velodrome has got to be one of the most amazing cycling buildings in the world. The show will take place in the centre of the track (also outside), the space where normally only the riders are allowed and the medals awarded. So an amazing building filled with the finest bicycles in the world and a chance to talk with the people that made them.

The reason we even started looking of a new venue was due to the fact that since the venue has been taken over by the council they have rented out much of the building for office space that we have previously used. The entrance has now moved to the back door to make way for these offices. We have been begging to use the space where the Imperial museum ever since it closed, this is now office space. I would like to comment that the staff that actually work at the Passenger Shed are excellent lovely people. Bristol needs an event space rather offices in my opinion.

In response to comments about it being all about the money, it's not! Stand prices have gone up £25 since 2012 and the ticket price in London will be the same as this years show at £10. We have always had new builders spaces at a discounted price, offer free studio photography for all exhibitors to help them promote themselves.

I have been responsible for initiating the UK Framebuilders Guild, although still in it's infancy, but brings UK framebuilders together to further progress the profession.

Bespoked will never be in an exhibition centre like the NEC as i don't think it suits the bikes or the makers.

People visit Bespoked from all over the world, London is not really that far from anywhere in the UK.

I'm very excited about the show being in the velodrome in what will be one of the first times the public will be allowed in since the Olympics. Within a couple of hours of applications being opened some we have received applications from some of the best builders from all over the world. So I hope that people are still able to come even if (for some) it might take a bit longer to get to. it will be well worth it.
Phil

Putting the discussions about which venue would be bestest to one side, i think it's fantastic that there's a real and growing market for handbuilt bikes in this country. The fact that the show has outgrown the Bristol Space is testament to the fact that it's a real growth area, and the remit of the show has grown too, with more international builders recognising the potential in the UK market. So that's all good.

am i disappointed that it's leaving bristol? yes, of course, because it was our local show for one thing. but given that it has to move, i think the olympic velodrome is a very fitting home for it. whether it's in london or not. i'm not convinced it's as accessible, on a country-wide level, as temple meads. but let's give it a chance, eh?

Very disappointing. I know I'm biased being in Bristol already, but this is a real shame. If anything I'd say it's become less accessible as you've now got to fight your way through the capital by whatever means you choose rather than stepping out of a major rail terminus and straight into the show. IMHO it will lose some of its charm as well - nothing like a bit of West Country randomness to make things more interesting.

Still, I reckon the manufacturers will do better out of it given the greater number of monied individuals in town. Stand by for even more city types commuting on Pegorettis / Legends / Cyfacs etc.

Woohoo! I'm delighted

I'm going

Yes, it's all too London centric. However, I live in London so am rather happy about it, frankly!

Says the man from London

Jeez... shall we all give it a chance before we write it off completely? I'd bet it is more accessible to more people at the Olympic Park than it was in Bristol - and the Olympic Park has a lot more to do with cycling, and a lot more character generally, than the NEC.

I'm not saying there aren't alternatives elswhere in the country, because clearly there are, but it would be good to give it a chance before deciding it will be a failure.

Ugh seriously London!

I mean really, it takes the piss! You'd spend a fortune alone on accommodation

such a shame

Why oh why move to LONDON of all places. That's a SHOCKING move in my eyes.

Why not head UP the M5 and go for something like the Birmingham NEC, Head West and you are in Cardiff, there are bound to have a decent place to put on a show.

ANYTHING but bloody London.....I'll give it a year there, then it'll petter out and head back to Bristol, by which time, there will be less interest than ever.

There is a reason that its so loved and a great show.....Its of a decent size and NOT in London......Someone is putting profit over everything else

I'll not be going either. Shame, really enjoyed the show too.

Blown it for me as well.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before money and fashion got involved.
Ah well.

The thought of having to listen to Bristol's Mayor give out the awards again was enough to swing the decision

Thats terrible. Why does everything have to be London centric. I will not be going. It costs too much to visit anything in London.