After a year away due to restrictions surrounding Covid-19, Toy Fair is back for 2022 and is shaping up to be another busy and lively show.

A strong re-booking rate for Toy Fair 2022 will see exhibiting companies such as Playmobil UK, Lego, Character Options, Moose Toys, VTech/LeapFrog, John Adams, Orchard Toys and many more back at the show, as well as a raft of exciting new companies.

Exhibitor space is nearly sold out – any other companies wanting to exhibit and are encouraged to apply via the website (www.toyfair.co.uk) as soon as possible.

Toy Fair returns to Olympia London from 25th-27th January 2022 in its new layout across the Grand and National halls; ongoing redevelopment works at Olympia have resulted in changes to the floorplan. Exhibitors and visitors attending in January will notice that the extensive works are already underway and are affecting external areas of the building.

Majen Immink, the BTHA’s Toy Fair director, explains: “As a result of the disruption created by Covid-19, the ambitious £1.3b redevelopment programme at Olympia London has seen some recent changes to the schedule of its planned construction and demolition work. This has had a bearing on Toy Fair – there are some changes in the surrounding area attendees will notice in such a large site redevelopment.”

She continued: “Toy Fair has been assured by Olympia London that its top priority is to ensure events go ahead both safely and successfully, with disruption kept to an absolute minimum during the works. Olympia has also assured the BTHA that proactive 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. 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 itself 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. Both proactive and reactive processes will be in place to mitigate and minimise any disruption during Toy Fair 2022 so exhibitors are not unfairly disadvantaged and can enjoy the usual high standards synonymous with the venue.”

Majen added: “We can’t wait to finally open the doors to Toy Fair again and welcome the whole industry back. It has been a challenging 18 months for all, and we are extremely grateful to the industry for its 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 offer 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 to ensure everyone in attendance is in the safest setting possible. 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.

Returning exhibitor Jamie Dickinson, head of marketing for Playmobil UK, said: “Following a long period of uncertainty, 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.”

David Allan, MD of Toynamics UK & Ireland, added: “After a very challenging 18 months, I am so excited that London Toy Fair will return in January 2022. The London Toy Fair is so important to Toynamics UK & Ireland; it lets us 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 its efforts in making Toy Fair happen – I know it will be a great success.”

Visitor registration will open on the Toy Fair website around the 14th October.

For all Toy Fair enquiries please contact Rebecca@btha.co.uk or call 020 7701 7127 to speak to the Toy Fair team.

Readers can keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter @ToyFairUK and via the Toy Fair website – www.toyfair.co.uk.