Tabletop Trends: ‘Outstanding’: positivity rules at the ‘biggest and best’ LET Forum
Record numbers, a new venue and a really positive vibe were the hallmarks of the 2025 Light Equipment and Tableware Forum, held at the Oxford Belfry Hotel on 20th and 21st May 2025. Over 80 delegates attended, representing 25 organisations, including the UK’s leading national and regional LET distributors. They came to look at the latest concepts in tableware and light equipment from some of the UK’s leading suppliers, with new launches ranging from soft serve ice cream machines and hot chocolate makers to upmarket cutlery, colourful crockery and practical cookware.
Paula Sherlock is chair of the FEA’s LET Group and managing director of Signature. “The 2025 Forum is the biggest and perhaps the best yet,” she said. “So many brilliant new products and a really engaged audience. Huge thanks to the suppliers and delegates for creating such a buzz!”
Despite economic challenges the event had a distinctly positive air. “It’s been a tough start to the year, but things are looking up,” was the comment from Zodiac’s Jim Ellis, and he wasn’t alone. Several companies reported Q1 had been busy with quotes, rather than orders – but this was changing. The consensus from the Forum floor was that the adjustments in national insurance and the minimum wage had led to foodservice operators being more cautious during spring (‘awful April’ as one delegate described it), but as summer approaches, and they get used to the new economic conditions, business is, if not booming, then certainly better.
Sarah Overton from Alliance Disposable said, “This is my fourth Forum and they get better every year. The array of suppliers is brilliant. It’s really, really well organised and it’s a great new venue.”
Another delegate, Andrea Shearn-Wood of Drinkstuff, said, “Meeting 18 suppliers in a day and a half, the networking with suppliers and colleagues, it’s just outstanding.”
Nathan Osborne of exhibitor FEM agreed. “The Forum is a great chance to put products in front of people,” he said. “Delegates have been incredibly engaged and interested in what we’ve got to say. It’s been a really good show.”
This was Ashley Cooke of Amefa’s first Forum. He described it as ‘fantastic’, adding, “It’s so time efficient. The organisation is well structured yet the event has a great, laid back vibe.”
Finding out the latest trends is always a big attraction for attendees at the Forum – check out our ‘Trends Top Ten’ article in this issue of Tabletop Trends for the major discussion points. Another big draw is the opportunity to network with colleagues from all areas of the supply chain. The key event being the LET Forum Awards dinner which this year raised over £1,500 for Hospitality Action, with guests later being entertained by tribute band Take @ That.
To find out about attending the 2026 LET Forum contact FEA through fea.org.uk or #FEAuk.
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This article is part of Tabletop Trends - FEA's quarterly light equipment and tableware sector newsletter.
Tabletop Trends is produced and distributed by the Foodservice Equipment Association, the UK's largest independent foodservice equipment trade association. All suppliers listed in this article are FEA members. A full list of Light Equipment and Table suppliers can be found on our Meet Our Members section - simply select Light Equipment / Food Prep from the Product Type drop down menu
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