A record number of visitors turned up to peruse everything from slow cookers to massage chairs at this year's Marlborough Home and Garden Show, held from Friday to yesterday.

Event organiser Felicity Joll, of Jade Promotions, said more than 6000 people over age 16 attended, which was a good increase from last year and on par with the largest crowd ever in 2009.

Blenheim had been a tough market during the past couple of years but the show had given Marlborough businesses a real boost, she said.

"The market's been really tough for everyone, but it's been a real success. Lots of exhibitors were saying they were running low on stock, which is great."

Now in its fifth year, the show drew people from throughout Marlborough, and even further.

"It was a really strong turnout, people came from quite far afield. One woman even came from Christchurch to see a specific exhibit," she said.

Demonstrations of a Smart Living steam mop and the Kleva Sharp electric knife-sharpening device were especially popular, but most of the visitors said they were there to browse.

Jenni Gane, of Renwick, was at the show with her two daughters. Like many other shoppers she was looking for bargains.

She walked away with some kitchen utensils and her children managed to pick up a Father's Day present.

The show was a good chance to see products in action rather than just looking at them in a box at a shop, she said.

Ellen and Wes Anderson, of Picton, were first-time visitors to the show and were on the lookout for an exercise table, but enjoyed browsing the other products as well.

Advanced Electrical salesman Steve Banks said despite the tough economic climate there was no shortage of customers looking to buy televisions and sound systems.

He sold two within hours of the show opening, which wasn't a surprise because sales in Blenheim had been good in the four times he had exhibited at the show.

Plus 2 WP saleswoman Anna Rawson said she had been doing home and garden shows for 19 years and had her stall of massage chairs in Blenheim every year.

- The Marlborough Express

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