Stop the SDSC arms fair 

In February 2026 the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) hosted the SDSC-UK Arms Fair.

It will do so again 9 & 10 February 2027.

We believe no venue should welcome arms dealers who profit from selling weapons which cause death, destruction and torture (as well as environmental destruction) in Sudan, Gaza, Yemen and many other countries.

Members of local community groups, faith groups, unions and other local residents have made it clear:  

NEC should be for family-friendly events such as homes, crafts, food, toys...

There should be NO place for weapons fairs which make money by ripping families apart and destroying ecosystems.

The UK is one of the biggest exporters of arms globally, including to repressive regimes and those suspected of violating international humanitarian law. It has sold billions of pounds worth of arms – including planes, bombs and missiles – to Saudi Arabia, despite the state waging a war in Yemen which has killed many civilians and created a humanitarian crisis. It is also a player in the current horrors in Palestine and Lebanon. 

As well as the incalculable human cost of "bleeding edge technology", the weapons industry also squanders resources badly needed in our society and drives climate breakdown.

SDSC-UK has left previous locations at the 3 Counties Showground in Malvern and Telford International Centre, following widespread protest.  Now we are calling on the NEC Group to drop the arms fair too.