Thousands turn out for the Great British Shooting Show

20% increase in attendance at shooting show

The shooting community turned out in force at the NEC Birmingham for this year’s Great British Shooting Show from 13-15 February – the first under new owners Time Well Spent Group, which also publishes Shooting Times.

The turnout is notable given the pressure shooting sports are currently under: the Government’s proposed firearms licensing reforms have generated real anxiety in the industry, and the Gun Trade Association’s Stephen Jolly used his main stage slot to address them directly. Against that backdrop, a 20% rise in attendance and a show floor busy with major international product launches told its own story.

Olympic champion trap shooter Nathan Hales, who gave one of the main stage interviews, put it plainly: “We’re facing a lot of issues in shooting sports at the moment, so it’s great to see everyone here fighting for the same goals.”

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Something for everyone

Hales’ sentiment was reflected in the audiences that gathered for the weekend’s biggest sessions. Vinnie Jones, who has been outspoken in his support for country sports, attracted a crowd of hundreds. George Digweed, winner of multiple clay shooting world titles, drew an impressive crowd of his own. And fellow world champion Richard Faulds appeared alongside Perazzi to announce a new partnership.

Much of the stage programme was aimed at working shooters: pigeon shooting and wildfowling secrets with Chris Green, game shooting tips with Dave Carrie, pest control with airguns with Mat Manning and Rich Saunders, and deer management with Peter Jones of the Shooting and Hunting Academy. Jean-Paul Gaudin, known as The Seated Gun, spoke on the importance of fieldsports to rural communities.

Away from the stage, the show functioned as a point of convergence for the community – gamekeepers, stalkers, wildfowlers, beaters, gun trade figures – who might not cross paths for the rest of the year. The Gunmakers’ Arms, a temporarily rebranded Wetherspoons sponsored by Shooting Times, was rarely quiet. 

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Launching the latest shotguns and rifles

The trade announced its latest releases. On the shotgun side, Beretta marked its 500th anniversary with two new guns: the DT11 SuperSport, a 500-piece worldwide limited edition sporter, and the AX800 Suprema wildfowling semi-automatic. Perazzi used the show for the global debut of the MR57, an entirely new model. On the rifle side, new models from Bergara, Sauer, Sako and Blaser sat alongside the Browning X-Bolt 2 Stainless Varitech.

The Great British Shooting Awards were also presented during the weekend, with former organisers John and Annie Allison receiving a lifetime achievement award. 

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Looking ahead to next year’s show

Shooting Times editor Ollie Harvey said the show was “a fantastic way to wrap up the season properly: it gives the fieldsports community the opportunity to take stock, celebrate recent successes and start planning for the next season. Record ticket sales on Friday and Saturday show that the BSS continues to grow.”

Next year’s show runs Friday 12 to Sunday 14 February at the NEC Birmingham.