It seems, however, that despite Mr King telling us that the ‘nice decade is behind us' businesses are more encouraged by the PM Gordon Brown's immediate response where he insisted that he was building ‘a lasting prosperity by releasing untapped potential' and  Britain would ‘emerge from the global slowdown stronger and better as a country.'

So, following a relatively slow start to exhibitor bookings at BPA Baby & Child 2008, there has been a sudden upturn and frenetic activity in the BPA office with our team trying to keep up with enquiries and demand. One exhibitor commented: ‘Business at the beginning of the year has been quite slow and we were waiting to see if things would improve before committing to further expense. However, after a very successful show in 2007, we have decided to take the bull by the horns and have booked a stand.'