Snowbound roads, a change of halls, and a massive lack of signposting within the NEC -
this week's Totally DIY show was hit by a combination of adverse factors. But visitor traffic grew steadily throughout the three days, and by Tuesday lunchtime there was a discernible buzz in the hall.

The move to Hall 16, forced upon the show by the organisers of the Spring Fair, was never going to work in Totally DIY's favour. Hall 16 stands alone from the rest of the NEC complex, with no direct crossover traffic from any other halls - although Sunday's snow meant that there were few visitors in any of the halls. But once visitors did make it into hall 16, they found a well-laid-out and well-dressed show with good facilities and plenty of products to see.

And at the end of the three days, organiser Brintex revealed that the visitor total was around 3,000 - only half of last year's figure, but matching the number achieved in 2009, the show's last year in London.

Among exhibitors, the mood was philosophical - they knew that neither the change of halls nor the weather could be laid at Brintex's door. Similarly the signposting - or lack of it - within the main NEC complex, which was outside Brintex's control.

Many exhibitors told DIY Week that they had done well: "We haven't seen the numbers we would have liked, but the conversations we have had have been good ones," said one. And Brintex confirmed that some exhibitors have already rebooked for the 2013 show - which is currently planned for Hall 16 again.