Now in its 22nd year, the event took place on November 29th and 30th 2016 in the Ericsson Hall at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK. True to its promise the show was buzzing with plenty of new product launches, live demonstrations and a full timetable of free Masterclasses in two ‘open area’ theatres.

100 exhibitors were on show this year (higher than 2015) in expanded floor space, 95% of whom had booked again for 2017 before the end of the show. This year there was a lot of overseas interest both from exhibitors and visitors. The number of visitors, comprising volume retail and trade buyers as well as professionals, was also higher than last year with many stand holders very excited by the great buzz of the show.

On the second day afternoon, colleges brought students to experience the atmosphere of the event and absorb the many products, tools and methods of application that were available. They will, of course, be the professionals of the future and where better to get the hands-on experience for them to outperform in this competitive business?

Among the exhibitors were many brush / roller makers and distributors offering new lines and items launched at this important show and naturally, they were top of my list to discover the latest trends. 

At the unbelievably crowded Hamilton stand I was introduced to the new, Hamilton Expression range of brushes. Launched at the show, Hamilton offered the range of brushes to visitors to try at their stand to show the supreme quality of this brush range. It holds comfortably like an artist brush. Its filament blend allows for amazing pickup, offering double the coverage with accurate and smooth delivery giving a perfect, flatter finish as a consequence of the glide. The strong research and design put in by Swedish and British designers has gone into perfecting this brush from the well balanced unique handle shape through to the special filament combination. Genuinely, a perfect new brush.

Purdy showcased the Purdy Paint Plan that links brushes with leading paint manufacturers; Dulux, Crown and Johnstone.  Their three brush lines; Monarch, Sprig and Syntax, are ideal for different types of paint: Monarch for emulsion, Sprig for water-based gloss and Syntax for woodcare and varnish.  

New for 2016 is the Revolution Jumbo Mini roller 4 ½” and 6 ½” being part of their complete roller system that works well with the Power Lock extension pole reaching up to a height of 16’ if necessary, still keeping good pressure and manipulation.

Fat Hog stated that the Pro Aqua selection of paintbrushes, launched earlier in 2016, has proved highly successful and since then have increased this line with oval and angle brushes of between ½” and 3” in both ranges.  Both ranges are good all-rounders being efficient and accomplished using both emulsion or water based gloss paints.  Nigel Brook was very pleased with the first day being extremely busy with very interesting visitors.

At the very busy Ciret stand, I met Mark Carpenter, MD, and Zoe Perkins, Marketing and Communications Manager, who described their full range of decorating products offering everything for the decorator. Ciret UK demonstrated their products on the stand explaining the high-level design qualities aimed at the professional decorator for specific applications. They offered an amazing package of tools at a very good trade rate and the chance to try out the products.

Masq is their brand of masking tapes that come in various strengths for different surfaces; Prep being their brand of preparation tools, so vital for a good finish; Rota, their brand of rollers in different lengths and pile also giving a full range for different paint finishes and Kana their strong line of brushes of varying sizes and shapes to complete the perfect job.

Prodec have this year aligned their brushes into categories: good, better and best colourway packaging - good being black, better in red and best in silver. This will make it easier for the buyer to choose the range that suits their needs. Prodec promoted their new extension pole that comes in 2 – 4 feet and 4 – 8 feet lengths.  The pole is double riveted tip for robust connection that compliments the full range of rollers also on the stand.  In addition, they showed the ‘Click n Climb’ telescopic ladder made to the latest EM131 standard giving stability and balance at a height.

At the Corona stand, Tony Hiscocks, Director of AJ Systems (importer and distributor of Corona brushes) spoke of the uncompromised quality of their decorating brushes that are aimed at the professional market.  All of their brushes are hand made in the USA, he informed me, and the amount of interest on his stand clearly supported his claims.

Wooster showed their new Gold Edge range, launched at this show.  The thicker chemically tipped (CT™) Poly filaments give a firmer painting feel keeping the tip soft. This filament is very soft and fine to virtually eliminate brush marks, yet its added stiffness pushes paint further on the surface and provides control for sharp, single-pass cuts; excellent for all paints and enamels.

REX, proudly making professional paintbrushes since 1968, in Cremona, Italy, took the opportunity to show samples of their full range of decorating materials.  Their rollers and brushes are well known for their quality and also for their special effects. Dr Orlando Mirco told me it was their first time at the show and was pleased with the reception he had received from many interested visitors.

The National Painting and Decorating show showcased as usual the Young Decorator of the Year giving finalists the opportunity to prove their expertise with many applications. There were a range of products tools and other prizes for the skilful winners promoted and supported by Johnstone Paints group, which of course included Fat Hog brushes, tools and decorators’ protective clothing. The winner of the trophy was Philip Orme, in 2nd place was Olivia Newmann and 3rd place went to Lisa Murphy. It must be stated that the standard was extremely high this year and that all finalists were exceedingly skilful and worthy of their place.

Next year the Painting and Decorating Show will again be in the Ricoh Arena on 28th and 29th November 2017.  This central location makes the show easily accessible from all parts of the country, by road and by rail. Plus, the venue now has its own dedicated train station, providing an hourly rail link service between Coventry City station and the Arena. We are sure you will enjoy your visit!