The Pets and Aquatics Trade Show (PATS) has changed the dates of its Harrogate show from spring to autumn.

Organised by Impact Exhibitions and Events, the Harrogate edition will now take place on 16 and 17 September 2012, whereas this year it ran on 5 and 6 April.

"This decision has been made following detailed consultations with the trade since PATS Harrogate," said PATS exhibition manager Annie Dyke. "We have looked at all the venue availabilities and examined the dates which are the most suitable.

"At Harrogate 2011 concern was expressed about exactly where two PATS shows would fit into the pet trade's busy calendar in the early months of 2012," Dyke continued. "This consists of Global Pet Expo in the first days of March, swiftly followed by Crufts, BSAVA and then Interzoo, and is complicated by the long Easter break over the weekend of April 6-9 and the usual May holiday dates in the UK and overseas.

"We've also been asked to try for Sunday dates which would assist independent pet retailers who close their premises on a Sunday. So, with all this to consider we had to move quickly and our first stop was to consult with the trade," she concluded.

Many exhibitors felt that the potential number of spring shows in 2012 would over-stretch their resources and that to have the Harrogate show in September would allow quality planning time together with two, contrasting seasonal opportunities to sell and launch products; both, crucially, at a pet trade focused show.

In other pet show news, QD Events has claimed the launch edition of the London Pet Show drew 13, 460 visitors.

Any news? Email mtrudeau@mashmedia.net