The High Street Hub will return in 2025 at the ARE Expo in Manchester, with the Gambling Business Group once again hosting a series of workshops, networking opportunities and licensing seminars aimed at promoting the UK land-based sector.

The Gambling Business Group has confirmed that its High Street Hub will return in 2025 despite the relocation of ICE, with the networking and workshop platform becoming a central feature of the Amusement and Retail Entertainment Expo.

ARE takes place on 29 and 30 April next year at The Cotton Sheds, Victoria Warehouse, in Manchester, and will allow the GBG to continue promoting the UK’s land-based gambling industry.

“Whilst ICE is moving to Barcelona, the High Street Hub is staying closer to the land-based sector that the GBG supports,” said GBG GM Charlotte Meller. “The Expo is being organised by Swan Events and it’s the first industry focused event for high street businesses to be staged in the North West for many years. There’s been a very positive reaction to both the event and its location  and the publicity for the expo will start to ratchet up from January.”

“We will be organising a number of workshops over the two exhibition days, to be held in dedicated workshop space alongside the High Street Hub stand.”

And she called once again on members who were interested in running or being involved in a workshop to promote their products or services to join the event. “There was a very positive response to the Hub’s advisory sessions with a number of members offering specialist advice and guidance  to other members on issues relating to licensing, compliance, age verification etc.”

The GBG will again look to work with the Institute of Licensing at ARE, with a focus for licensing authorities on the second day.  The collaboration proved a significant success at ICE earlier this year when circa 20 council representatives attended the GBG initiative. 

“This was really successful at the London show and we hope that councils in the Northern regions will also engage positively.”

Meller added: “We are pleased to see that a number of GBG Members have already signed up to exhibit and would encourage others to consider doing so. This is a new show in the north of England and is therefore likely to attract many operators and businesses that won’t normally travel to London.”

To deliver High Street Hub  Seminars:

charlotte@gamblingbusinessgroup.co.uk