Fox’s Marina & Boatyard in Ipswich has not attended the London Boat Show for a number of years, but revisited it this year, sharing a place on the Yacht Harbour Association stand.

Managing director Will Taylor-Jones said it had been a worthwhile exercise.

“I think it went well,” he said, adding that he felt the industry should back the event.

The reduced five-day format had worked particularly well, he felt.

“Saturday was really busy and positive for us,” he said. “I think everyone agreed it was positive and the reduced format was good.”

He also met up with a Norwegian customer who was pleased with their work and wanted to put more work their way, and it was a chance to highlight the many facets to their business, including stainless steel fabrication and rigging, he said.

“We are not very good at shouting about that,” he said. “That business-to-business thing was very positive.”