THE future of Southampton Boat Show will today be secured for the city until 2020 when port bosses sign a landmark deal with council chiefs.

Tory council leaders are set to extend an agreement with Associated British Ports (ABP) to use berth 101 as an addition to the show’s main Mayflower Park site.

The feature berth will this year be home to grand Jubilee Sailing Trust tallship Lord Nelson, and in past years has allowed visitors to enjoy replicas of historic ships including HMS Bounty and Jeanie Johnston.

The deal will secure the Boat Show from 2014 to 2020 amid fears Southampton could lose the event to a rival venue such as Portsmouth if it only had use of a smaller site.

The council’s deal with Southampton International Boat Show Limited was extended to 2020 subject to getting the berth 101 licence.

Cabinet member for economic development Councillor Rosyton Smith said: “The Southampton Boat Show has been one of the city’s great success stories.

“The decision to sign a new lease with ABP will ensure the Boat Show continues to have a home here in Southampton for many years to come.

“By entering into a new agreement with the port for berth 101 we are confirming our ongoing commitment to the operators of the Boat Show, who for over 40 years have made the Southampton Boat Show one of the best in Europe.”

More than 122,000 visitors are expected to flock to Mayflower Park for the PSP Southampton Boat Show.

This year’s show, which runs from September 12 to 21, will be the 41st.

It will feature more than 100 boats, with around 375 berthed on the water in the largest purpose-built temporary marina in the world.

Andrew Williams, managing director of organisers National Boat Shows, said: “Each year we try to bring a fresh new approach to the show, and this year is looking like it will be the best yet.”