Warwickshire's leisure offer nets another Big One
20,000 visitors set to attend major angling event at Stoneleigh
Warwickshire has reeled in another big attraction with one of the biggest fishing shows in the UK coming to the county in April.
‘The Big One’, Hampshire-based for the last 20 years, will come to the Midlands for the first time when a second edition of the show is held at the NAEC Stoneleigh, near Kenilworth.
The show on Saturday and Sunday April 13 and 14, featuring hundreds of angling retailers selling state-of the-art tackle and bait, will be another prestige addition to the county's tourism and leisure offer.
Last year’s 'The Big One' at Farnborough attracted more than 20,000 visitors, and the show at NAEC Stoneleigh is expected to be equally successful, with an estimated pool of around 306,000 anglers within casting distance of Stoneleigh.
Stars of the angling world, such as River Monsters presenter Jeremy Wade and World Feeder Champion Steve Ringer, will be on hand to meet visitors and to give advice while a demonstration pool will be set up so visitors can view the latest tackle in action.
Warwickshire's central location and excellent transport links were the bait which attracted the big event to the region, according to Vince Davies, show director at Bauer.
“We realised that, for many anglers from the Midlands, Farnborough is not the most accessible location," said Mr Davies. "So we decided to host a new show to make sure they’re not missing out. Stoneleigh Park is the perfect location. It is very easy to get to with its great transport links and there is free parking on site too.
“Angling is so popular in the Midlands, there are so many wonderful spots for coarse fishing across the wider region, and we are confident the Big One will live up to its name at NAEC Stoneleigh.
"The two giant halls will be full of the best tackle and bait and it will be brilliant to have the likes of Jeremy Wade and Steve Ringer at Stoneleigh to speak with visitors as well.
Kate Varvedo of NAEC Stoneleigh, said: “We host national events here at NAEC Stoneleigh throughout the year, and we are really pleased to have attracted such a major show to the Midlands.
“The Big One was proved very successful at Farnborough and we are confident it will be just as popular here and will become a regular event on the fishing calendar.”
Tickets for The Big One, including special VIP packages, are on sale at thebigoneshow.co.uk or by calling SEE Tickets on 0871 2310827 (calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras).