After a year away due to restrictions surrounding Covid, Toy Fair is back for 2022 and is shaping up to be another busy and lively show.

Exhibitors’ response to returning to the event, which will be held from 25 January to 27 January at Olympia London, has been ‘incredibly positive’, reflected in the strong re-booking rate from companies such as Playmobil UK, LEGO, Character Options, Moose Toys, VTech/LeapFrog, John Adams, and Orchard Toys plus lots more familiar names as well as many new companies. Space is nearly sold out and companies wanting to exhibit and are encouraged to apply via www.toyfair.co.uk/ as soon as possible.

The Fair, which is organised by the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), will feature a brand-new layout across the Grand and National halls due to the ongoing redevelopment works at Olympia enforcing a change in the floorplan. Attendees will notice extensive works already underway and affecting the external areas of the building.

BTHA Director of Toy Fair Majen Immink said: “As a result of the disruption created by Covid-19, the ambitious £1.3 billion redevelopment programme at Olympia London has seen some recent changes in the schedule of its planned construction and demolition work. This has a bearing for Toy Fair: there are some changes in the surrounding area that attendees will notice in such a large site redevelopment.”

Toy Fair has been assured by Olympia London that its top priority is to continue to ensure events go ahead both safely and successfully with disruption kept to an absolute minimum during the works. Olympia has assured the BTHA that pro-active processes, limits, and measures will be in place to suppress any impact that the works around the site may have on the creation of noise, vibration, rubbish, and dust. An extensive agreement and set of processes between Olympia and its building contractors is in place to ensure the Toy Fair goes ahead safely and comfortably for its exhibitors and visitors. Measures in place from Olympia London have been based on extensive testing and the use of specialist equipment and monitors. Toy Fair has been further assured by Olympia’s construction director and management team that any unforeseen issues that arise are dealt with swiftly and professionally by the onsite team. The requirements applied to Olympia’s building contractors on site are particularly stringent during Toy Fair show opening days and hours.

Olympia London has issued the following statement to all Toy Fair participants: “Olympia London is committed to ensuring that events and the redevelopment programme can work safely and successfully alongside each other and that both proactive and reactive processes will be in place to mitigate and minimise any disruption during Toy Fair 2022 so that exhibitors are not unfairly disadvantaged and can enjoy the usual high standards synonymous with the venue.”

Looking forward to the show reopening, Majen added: “We can’t wait to finally open the doors to Toy Fair again and welcome the whole industry back. It’s been a challenging 18 months for all, and we are extremely grateful for the industry for their patience and ongoing support of the show. The strong re-booking rate is testament to the popularity and importance of the show and I’m sure it will be a fantastic atmosphere in which exhibitors and visitors can finally meet face to face. We are so looking forward to hosting the industry under one roof again to kick off what will hopefully be an exciting and successful year for the toy industry. We are fully committed to putting on the best platform possible for the industry to achieve a successful three days of business in a safe environment.”

Health and safety will be a huge priority for the planning of the show to ensure that everyone in attendance is in the safest setting possible and the BTHA will be following government and industry guidance to ensure that the show is in line with relevant regulations with regards to Covid-19.

“Following a long period of uncertainty and holding meetings virtually, we are very much looking forward to attending the London Toy Fair again in January 2022”

Jamie Dickinson, head of marketing for Playmobil UK

Returning exhibitor Jamie Dickinson, head of marketing for Playmobil UK, commented: “Following a long period of uncertainty and holding meetings virtually, we are very much looking forward to attending the London Toy Fair again in January 2022. The event gives us a great opportunity to showcase all our new launches and talk to our customers in a friendly yet professional environment.”

“After a very challenging 18 months, I’m so excited that London Toy Fair will return in January 2022, which could well be the first toy show of the year”

David Allan, managing director of Toynamics UK & Ireland

David Allan, managing director of Toynamics UK & Ireland, added: “After a very challenging 18 months, I’m so excited that London Toy Fair will return in January 2022, which could well be the first toy show of the year. The London Toy Fair is so important to Toynamics UK & Ireland, to meet new and existing customers, showcase our ranges, highlight new products, and catch up with friends and colleagues. A big thank you to the BTHA for all their efforts to make it happen, which I know will be a great success.”

If you would like to exhibit, there is still time to apply by completing the online application form at www.toyfair.co.uk. Visitor registration will open on the Toy Fair website around 14 October. For all Toy Fair enquiries contact Rebecca@btha.co.uk or call 020 7701 7127 to speak to the Toy Fair team.

You can keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter @ToyFairUK and via www.toyfair.co.uk