Major Kettering business conference postponed over coronavirus fears

Tomorrow's Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Business Exhibition will not go ahead after the chamber said it expected the government to move from the containment phase to the delay phase of the fight against coronavirus.

The exhibition, which normally attracts hundreds of people from across the business community, had been due to take place tomorrow (Friday, March 13) at Kettering Conference Centre in Thurston Drive.

This lunchtime if was announced that the number of coronavirus cases nationally had risen to 590 cases, with ten deaths. Yesterday, the World Health Organisation officially declared the outbreak as a pandemic.

Northamptonshire Chamber Chief Executive Paul Griffiths said: "Today, the Government is expected to move from the containment phase to the delay phase. A move to the delay phase means that the disease has become established in the UK, and that further measures need to be taken to reduce the rate and extent of its spread.

"The Government has said the delay phase is where ‘social distancing measures’ are considered – which could include restrictions on public gatherings above a certain number of people.

"Therefore, for the protection of Northamptonshire Chamber staff, chamber members and the wider community we have taken the decision to postpone Northamptonshire Chamber’s Business Exhibition at Kettering Conference Centre tomorrow (Friday, April 13).

"This includes the postponement of the exhibition’s Business Before Hours event, Networking Lunch and 60 Minute Seminars. This decision has been taken due to the large numbers of people who usually attend our Business Exhibitions.

"We will try to rearrange the Business Exhibition for later in the year when the situation has changed. We will publish further information as soon as possible.

"We apologise for the short notice but as I’m sure people will appreciate this is a fast-moving situation. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and thank you for your understanding."