We speak to the founders of the Trade Stove and Fireplace Professional group, the team behind the industry’s long-awaited new trade show…
David Ball and Selina Brannan live and breathe fires. A few years ago, they created a space on social media for the stove and fireplace trade to come together. So it seemed like the natural next step to help that community meet out in the real world.
David said: “In 2019 I started the Trade Stove and Fireplace Professional group on Facebook because I believe we’re stronger together as an industry.”
The group now has over 3,300 members, and David added: “Selina is an admin on the group along with myself because I trust her – she’s like my little sister!”
Having worked side-by-side for over 25 years, the M.A.C Metalcraft colleagues know the industry inside and out and felt the time was right for a trade show. So they approached their directors with the idea – and they loved it.
David said: “Selina told me, ‘The group is going so well, I want to do a show.’ From that point we met Emma Hatherall and Susan Wheeler from Fireplace Specialist Magazine, and Erica Malkin from the Stove Industry Association, to make it even more of an attractive proposition.
“We pitched the idea to our directors – we’re lucky our MD Chris Atkin supported us fully. We’re all free spirits at M.A.C Metalcraft. Chris loves to see colleagues have an input and show free thinking.”
A one-stop shop for everything stove and fireplace
Selina said: “There used to be an industry show years ago — we wanted to bring something like this back as it’s something the industry needed.
“There are dedicated shows to parts of the industry, for example chimney sweep shows, but nothing for the stove and fireplace industry as a whole.
“We’re combining it all: flues, mantels, electric fires, manufacturing, sweeps… we’re broadening the spectrum of exhibitors and visitors.”
Getting together in God’s Own Country
When choosing a venue, David and Selina wanted a central, accessible location for professionals across the UK and beyond.
David said: “We visited Doncaster Racecourse and it was the perfect venue. It’s on the East Coast Mainline between Edinburgh and London and the railway station is just a couple of miles from Doncaster Racecourse, you can walk it. There are also 3,000 free car parking spaces, a hotel on site, a food hall and plenty of bars.”
Selina’s event-planning journey
David has nothing but praise for his colleague who took up the reins to drive the event forward.
He said: “Selina has been amazing in what she’s done! She’s never planned events before so every day she has been a massive inspiration and she’s putting in a lot of hard work.”
And how is Selina finding her new challenge? She said: “I’m managing it well. I wasn’t sure at first how to manage the event planning alongside my role as General Manager in such busy times, but it’s working well. Chris has allowed me time to dedicate to planning the show.
“Doncaster Racecourse have also been brilliant. I’ve been over there about six times to have a look at the space and ask questions. We’ve fully booked the indoor exhibitors’ space now and are starting to book people into the outdoor space.”
Who’s coming to the show?
Some of the biggest – and smallest – names in the business are looking forward to exhibiting, and there will be association support from the SIA.
As well as M.A.C Metalcraft, confirmed exhibitors include Fuel Conservation Services Limited, MidTec Products (chimney cowls and flues), Micon Distribution, and Stove Industry Supplies (SIS), who are teaming up with Hamer Fires.
David said: “We’ve got exhibitors coming from all over the UK and also from Ireland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Denmark… it’s really going to bring people together.”
Make a weekend of it
The show takes place on 30th and 31st May 2026, and David and Selina are encouraging visitors to book their tickets and make the most of their time in Doncaster.
David added, “Doncaster’s an amazing place. It’s very scenic – it’s got the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and it’s a vibrant city centre with plenty of eateries and hotels. Doncaster is an excellent place for the family and for socialising.”
M.A.C to the future…
As well as planning the stove and fireplace trade event, David and Selina will be organising M.A.C Metalcraft’s exhibition stand — and they promise it will be a real crowd-pleaser.
Selina said: “We can’t really talk about new products — we want it to be a surprise for people! But we have some really good new products planned for 2026.”
Visitors can also expect valuable insights in the dedicated seminar room, run by the Stove Industry Association.
All that’s left to do is book yours and your colleagues’ FREE tickets, get your dates in the diary and prepare for two days of new products, fresh knowledge, and inspiration for the future of the stove and fireplace industry. Not to mention some glorious Yorkshire scenery.
For exhibitor enquiries, please contact Selina at M.A.C Metalcraft.
