A sudden new turn of events on Thursday evening as British Marine, organisers of Boats2020 – a replacement event for the cancelled Southampton International Boat Show – announced that the city council had withdrawn permission for the show to go ahead. MDL Marinas also released a statement to the same effect.

‘British Marine regretfully announces that BOATS2020 has been cancelled.

‘At 6.34pm on Thursday 10 September, on the eve of opening day, British Marine received the devastating news from Southampton City Council that the show could no longer go ahead due to the rising risk of COVID-19 and growing Government fears.

‘The show, due to take place from 11-20 September 2020, was set to open on Friday following extensive work in collaboration with Southampton City Council to ensure that the existing Public Health England COVID-19 secure requirements were met.’

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, said; “We are desperately disappointed that BOATS2020 will no longer be taking place, especially receiving the news at the eleventh hour before opening. A tremendous amount of work has been put in and it was heartening to see committed exhibitors on-site today getting geared up for opening.

“British Marine has remained committed to staging this not-for-profit boat show to support the leisure marine industry and our host city of Southampton, and I am deeply saddened that it will now no longer be taking place. Alongside our exhibitors, we were ready to open a show that exceeded all safety requirements. We are truly perplexed as to why we are unable to run the show at least until Monday in line with the government restrictions imposed yesterday. The global pandemic and unprecedented times mean that the latest circumstances are beyond our control. Public health and safety come first and naturally, as the show organiser, British Marine must comply with all guidance.”

British Marine will be communicating with exhibitors, ticket holders and further stakeholders, and would like to thank all of them for continuing to support the event in these uncertain times.

MDL Marinas also described the council’s last-minute decision as ‘devastating’, adding comments from Tim Mayer, sales and marketing director at the company: “[] We are working with Southampton City Council’s events advisory committee to establish if we can open the show later in the week, but we wanted to let you know that the show will not open tomorrow (Friday 11 Sept), and we ask our booked customers not to come to Ocean Village.

“We are naturally very disappointed for all of our exhibitors, and visitors, who have all made significant investments into the show – whether to bring wonderful power and sail boats, or to travel to the city to look at a boat.

“If we are able to open our show later this week, we will contact those who have previously booked to let them know what happens next however your broker may well contact you to rearrange your appointment.”