Major camping and outdoor show cancelled due to Covid-19

Plans for a major new show aimed at campers and outdoor enthusiasts in spring 2021 have been postponed.

The first National Outdoor Expo had been due to take place on the weekend of 27-28 March at the NEC in Birmingham.

Broadcaster, writer and adventurer Ben Fogle, Olympic rower and adventurer James Cracknell OBE, adventurer and endurance runner Susie Chan had been booked to take part this year.

But due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus crisis, the show has now been delayed until 2022.

In its place, a digital event is taking place when the 2021 Expo was due to be held. The Outside & Active Festival will provide the outdoor community with access to a week of seminars, workshops, motivational speakers and expert opinion and is free to attend.

Commenting on the 2022 expo and the decision to postpone the 2021 launch event, Mike Seaman, of organisers Raccoon Events, said: “The decision to postpone the 2021 event was not taken lightly but as a company we felt that unless we were able to host an event full of hugs and high-fives then it would be a disservice to the events we are so well known for.

"We want to host a safe, inclusive, and fully interactive event and felt postponing was the right decision for our community. While not the same as an in-person experience, we hope that the Outside & Active Festival will provide attendees with a sense of community, access to first-rate speakers and expert advice and give attendees a taste of what the 2022 event will offer.”