Victoria not amused by show claim

“Outraged” Victoria in her company’s showroom

Nursery store owner Victoria Parrott has hit back at organisers of Manchester’s Baby and Toddler Show for boasting the show was better than visiting a local baby store
The show organisers posted a “five reasons why visiting a baby show trumps your local baby store” blog to boost interest among potential visitors.

But Royton-dwelling Victoria, owner of Manchester-based Adorable Tots, said: “We were outraged to read such comments. Their claims are simply not true.

“We work hard 365 days a year to ensure our customers are well informed and have the best choice of products on the market. For someone to suggest we aren’t worth a visit and they can guarantee a better price is disgraceful and misleading.”

Show organisers Mercury Events, based in Newbury, claimed their show, at Trafford’s Event City, “guaranteed the best prices and a wider choice of products than your local baby store”.

Victoria and her husband have a 6,000 sq ft showroom in Hope Mill, Ancoats and a 2,500 sq ft concession at House of Fraser in the city centre, and believe consumer shows “offer great advice for parents”.

But she added: “We exhibited at the show last year but on the first day were asked by the organisers not to sell the same products as another retailer based in Leicester - because the organisers had signed an exclusive deal with them. We felt thatwas unfair and was stifling fair trade.”