I only attend for 1 or 2 days, and only ever once with an exhibit vehicle, so my comments should be read with this in mind.
Strikes me that the show has moved from mainly UK MVs to an ever increasing proportion of European MVs and participants, same with the military related stalls (mind you this integration of UK / European is a really positive feature of the show). Would this be a fair reflection?
From a European view the new location is closer and easier, but only marginally. From a UK view it is further away, but only marginally. Must be acknowledged though that even a marginal increase in distance can be terminal in terms of expense :-(
Having said that, if you're driving or hauling a MV 200 odd miles the extra distance is a bit academic.
If the financial factor is paramount in laying on a show like this, then need to consider revenue. Comprised mainly of gate revenue from visitors to see the show (MVs and stalls), and stall holders. Revenue from of MV exhibitors is marginal.
Moving 60 miles won't make a lot of difference to visitors, maybe UK MVs dropping out will be replaced by more European MVs? But that would change the atmosphere a bit. There must be a fine balance to successful UK/European exhibits. Main factor in determining revenue from visitors is if there isn't enough to see to justify the trip - i.e. MV attendance.
A change can be refreshing -and I think W&P could benefit greatly from this, it has become too ...familiar? bad habits set in? - can't think of the right way to describe it but you know what I mean!
I guess the ideal scenario would be to move it to a more 'UK central' location and accept the adverse affect on European participation - a great shame but the benefit of allowing participation by a much wider selection of UK owned MVs would be immense.
Problem is - I'm not convinced there is room for more than one annual mega show such as W&P. So reckon we're stuck with what the relocated W&P can offer. I wouldn't like the job of organising something like this, and if a move is necessary for whatever reason, you can't blame the organiser for finding the best available alternative in a location near to his own back yard.
Or is this last comment too negative? Come on whoever you are - please prove it wrong (hell of a job but someone must be able to pull it off!).