LONDON/BIRMINGHAM: A surge in bookings for the Totally Shows is reflecting growing confidence in the home improvement market sectors, said the event's organisers, Brintex.

Recent bookings for Totally DIY, which takes place on 7-9 February and runs alongside Spring Fair International in Hall 10 at the NEC in Birmingham, include Agralan, Eliza Tinsley, Jegs Electrical, JFA Bright Spark, Nicoline, RB UK and Sycamore UK.

In addition, Olympia Tools has signed up to Totally Tools.

All these companies are regular exhibitors eager to try out the show's new timing and location at the NEC in Birmingham.

Companies new to the whole Totally Show experience are Centre Tank Services, one of the UK's leading specialist distributors of oil, lubrication and fluid dispensing equipment; Eleco Software, the makers of Grand Designs 3D software products – the tool for anyone planning to modify their existing home or build from new; Tanklok, which provides secure fuel storage solutions and US company Trimaco, which claims to offer the most complete source of paint sundries, masking papers and contractor's papers available in the paint sundries sector.

"The new location and timing are definitely influencing company's thinking about investing in some space at the show," said exhibition director James Murray.

"They recognise there is an opportunity to attract new visitors. Most companies realise that they have to help themselves when it comes to market recovery – there seems to be a sense that you have to go out and win business, you can't just wait for the buyers to come to you," he added.

The new central location in Birmingham means that the Totally shows are now accessible to more people than before, and the 'show within a show' format benefits from the crossover of relevant visitors from each Totally sector.

"Combined with the regular attendance of 70 000 trade buyers to the UK's largest retail trade show, Spring Fair International, some 10% of whom 'express a primary or secondary interest in garden and home improvement products', this represents a new opportunity for all Totally exhibitors and visitors alike," Mr Murray explained.

Online visitor registration for the show is open and can be accessed through the website.