I realise that in terms of floorspace,  London's 'The Cleaning Show' - taking place in just two weeks from 14th - 16th March, is nothing like international shows such as the long-established ‘Interclean Amsterdam’, or ‘CMS Berlin’ in which local manufacturers seem to fill entire halls. However, when you consider just how many companies are packed into the comparatively small area the London Show will take up in ExCel, there's an awful lot to see. I've just been looking at the current floorplan (https://cleaningshow.co.uk/london/floorplan) and am thinking that John Austen and I will have our work cut out to see everyone over the three days and also take in the conference program and other events running alongside the Show.

 

But what about the threat of industrial action affecting National Rail services and the London Underground on 15th and 16th March? Will these thwart all the hard work that’s been put into growing the show to its current levels? Luckily, all is not lost…

 

First, although it’s part of London Underground, Docklands Light Railway - which has two stations on the ExCel campus, is NOT affected. Despite this, the Show’s organisers are giving away 500 x £10 Uber vouchers to Show visitors via https://quartzltd-uber-voucher-claim/ to help ease your journey. If you’re one of the lucky claimants they'll be in touch next week with the voucher link and instructions on how to redeem it when you travel. Or you could travel via the Thames as they used to hundreds of years ago… Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has departures from London piers every 20 minutes. Something more futuristic and great if you’re staying locally, is the cable car that connects ExCeL to The O2 and North Greenwich area. A single fare costs Show visitors just £3! For those needing something less exciting there are 2,000-plus pay and display parking spaces at ExCeL. Just ensure you’re ULEZ compliant and if you’re not, you don’t forget to pay your ‘fine’.

 

The British Cleaning Council invests its proceeds from the Show back into the cleaning industry in the form of research, grants, consultation services, campaigns and generating positive publicity for the sector. So while this may be a small Show in comparison to some of the ‘biggies’ we get to visit, it really is a goodie and well worth supporting - and there’s far less walking involved than there could be!