Preston to host first Best of Britannia North

After three hugely successful events in London, Best of Britannia has announced that the first BOB North will take place in Preston in May.

BoB North will take place in the historic Post Office building and Flag Market in Preston and will follow the winning format of previous BOB events in London.

BOB is an event that showcases British companies that design or manufacture in the UK and opens with an exclusive preview evening to trade buyers and media on the first day, followed by two days of selling to the public and trade visitors.

This provides the best of British brands a first-class opportunity to meet and do business with other like-minded companies and to sell directly to a targeted group of discerning consumers, who are keen to buy products that are made in Britain.

Marketing Lancashire will work closely with the BOB team to ensure that the very best brands from across the North of England are fully represented, with the finest food, drink and entertainment offered alongside this incredible showcase of British design and manufacture.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire said: “We’re an innovative and creative county with a real “make it” movement and we’re incredibly proud that Preston, Lancashire, will host the first BOB event outside of London.”

Councillor Peter Rankin, leader of Preston City Council, said: “The Best of Britannia in ‘Proud Preston’ will be a marvellous showcase for quality products and for the city. It is a vote of confidence from great British manufacturers that Preston has been selected to host such a prestigious event."

“I have been a fan of Best of Britannia since its inaugural event in 2012,” said designer and BOB non-executive director, Wayne Hemingway. “BOB is hitting the zeitgeist with British manufacturing seeing a resurgence.

“A growing number of consumers here understand the boost to the UK economy, to jobs, and to the sustainability and ethical sourcing that Made in the UK brings." “As a born and bred Lancastrian, who manufactures much of my company’s designs in the county, I am delighted that BOB North is coming to Preston, where the impact of the event in a region with such a proud manufacturing and creative heritage is bound to be huge.”