In a surprise move, Reed Exhibitons has announced that next year’s London Book Fair will move to a new location (west-end Earl’s Court) and a new time (April 16 to 18). That follows widespread dissatisfaction with this year’s fair, held in the city’s hinterlands at the ExCel Centre last March.

But it more closely follows a recent announcement by Frankfurt Book Fair organizers that they planned to mount a rival London event … to be held next year at Earl’s Court from April 16 to 18!

In a brief official statement, outmaneuvered Frankfurt COO Juergen Boos is stunned. “The Frankfurt Book Fair received the contract from EC&O Venues yesterday, Wednesday 10th May. However, Frankfurt Book Fair has now learned that EC&O Venues appears to have agreed [to] a contract with Reed at the same time as agreeing [to] terms with and presenting its contract to the Frankfurt Book Fair. Frankfurt Book Fair is now urgently requesting clarification from EC&O Venues.”

But even before the dust settles, Boos is already showing some magnanimity. “No matter how this ends, at least publishers have got what they wanted — a central London venue and hopefully reduced prices,” he says.

Related links:
Click here for the London Book Fair announcement
Click here for the Frankfurt Book Fair announcement
Click here for a May 9 Omni story about the competing London fairs