PATS Telford is set to return in September 2021, with its biggest-ever show.

The two-day event on Sunday, September 26, and Monday, September 27, will be staged in three halls of Telford International Centre instead of two for the first time.

More than 170 companies have already booked stand space with 30 of them being new, and the final total is expected to be around 190, which would be a record for a PATS exhibition

Organiser Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions and Events, said: “It is great to be able to stage an event where the whole pet industry is able to meet in person for the first time in more than 18 months.

“The pet trade has changed significantly since our last show at Sandown in February 2020, especially because of the rise in pet ownership during the pandemic. There are great opportunities for innovative companies, and we know a lot of them have lots of new products to unveil at the show.”

Mr Thomas said that online registrations for visitors are also above expectations as buyers and retailers appreciate the opportunity to meet up with their suppliers again and view all the latest innovations.

Telford International Centre, the venue for PATS, is already open for business, having hosted its first exhibition since restrictions were imposed.

Diane Austin, director of operations at Telford International Centre, said: “We recently played host to ‘The Summer Furniture Show’. Visitor numbers were massively increased from their last event, reflecting the importance of an industry wanting to meet in person again, and also the desire to see products tangibly.

“Exhibitors, visitors and the organisers were happy and it was just fantastic having an event in the venue and everything feeling quite normal – we are very much looking forward to hosting PATS Telford in September.”