Is what my brain is singing right now. Oh my goodness, I am absolutely BUSHED. It is all the packing and lifting single handed which is so exhausting. I was tired when Keith and I did Fairs together, and he did all the lifting and packing. On my own - well, I know I will have to call on my offspring to help if I do this Fair again. That in itself is a moot point because new owners have managed to pretty well kill this fair in the single year they have been running it, just from sheer greed. Putting prices up abruptly (20% on our stalls alone and more on the ones in the two posher buildings, especially if you have a fitted stand to hand paintings or display furniture.) There are NO outside stalls up beyond the main buildings now - there used to be dozens - apart from a few under cover in the nearest outbuilding, but they used to go right up to the gate where the traders drive in to set up. There used to be LOTS to the left of the main ring too. Those are getting much fewer in number - a good third down. The two front halls are half and 2/3 empty and it is not a good look. They have managed to get rid of the stalls selling tea/coffee/chips/burgers etc, and the named breed sausages, ice cream - many were stalls which had traded their for 25 years or more. The replacements have really hoiked their prices - £3.50 just for a cup of tea!!! Burgers £8.50 - £12.50, canned drinks £3! etc to cover costs.
Anyway, it was good to see old friends and make new ones, and have lovely chats with people, buying or not. I have some pennies towards my MoT and other bills. I am home. Unpacking will happen over the next couple of days and I will ask for help with the awkward tables.
Quite the strangest thing in the Fair. Much as I like the unusual, NOT for me!!!
More personal belongings on my stand - the Richard Bebb (signed) books we bought when they were published - he had an open day at his premises and he was signing them then; the beautiful painted enamel white crane pot holder; the beautifully turned lignum vitae candlesticks, and behind, the Thomas Toft platter by Carole Glover, of Charles II in the oak tree. That has gone to live in a beautiful Medieval house, a forever home.
Now I am going to cook myself a tiny meal of leftovers and rice and have an early night.
If the price has been hiked up that much is it worth the effort of going, your profit margin must have gone down and from what you said about the place it must have put punters off as well.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, just. We shall see what next year brings (my offspring have rallied round and said they will help load/set up and then the reverse on the Sunday. Phew. Punters are remarking about the change . . . already they have voted with their feet after the entry fee doubled!
ReplyDeleteDisappointing to watch a successful enterprise driven into the ground.
ReplyDeleteBritish Rail did it - put the prices up, and lost customers. These companies don't seem to learn do they? Make it cheap, and attract people! It has been lessening in dealers selling since Covid. I think the more elderly dealers decided to retire then. Plenty of younger ones coming on but Mid-Wales is a fair hike for folk. One of the dealer neighbours in our back shed, comes all the way from Lincolnshire - a 4 hour drive each way.
DeleteThe estate that owns most of the shops in our local market town keeps putting the rents up which only results in more empty shops and reduced revenue for the estate, yet it seems unable to make the connection.
ReplyDeleteYup, Carmarthen council did the same with the rents (and not to mention Council tax) on the shops it owns and guess what, empty shops!
DeleteIt does not look at all inviting, and the dire surroundings and high cost of entry do no favours for the sellers or shoppers. I would definitely vote with my feet and visit smaller more country-style fairs instead.
ReplyDeleteHah, not too dire - this is a permanent showground and these huge sheds are housing for cattle/sheep etc when the show is on each summer. Malvern is the same, and around the country the permanent showground sites try and rake more money in with Antiques Fairs, trade fairs etc. There aren't that many good small fairs round here. There's one fairly locally which charges £250 to stand and someone was saying some dealers are pulling out because not worthwhile.
DeleteMaybe it's just because I have always preferred to sell at, and shop at the smaller rural fairs. Large or small village hall type affairs. The one closest to us is really good, well it used to be it's on one Sunday every month, but unfortunately I haven't been able to go for the past two years as we visit Mum on a Sunday. Maybe that too has suffered!
DeleteYes, smaller Fairs are more easily fitted in village halls etc. This one used to have up to 1,000 stalls in its heyday. Hence use of large agricultural buildings. Carmarthen showground one was an agricultural building too. We were used to them being this sort of scale.
DeleteThat's such a shame that management is ruining a long-standing thing...as if life wasn't expensive enough already, jacking up entry fees is certainly going to put the buyers off, or at least leave them with less money in their pockets for purchases. That price for a cup of tea, though...!!!! Ye gods!!! What on earth is that wooden thing with legs? Is it meant to be a musical instrument? I love that your platter has gone to live in a Medieval home...perfect! ~melanie xo
ReplyDeleteWell, I personally think it is extremely short-sighted. I am sure the previous owner of this business is hoping they will fail and sell it back to him half price! Yes, ridiculous for a cup of tea. Even mroe for a cup of - instant apparently - coffee!
ReplyDeleteI think the thing on legs is an African musical instrument (broken strings hanging down).
Yes, my platter went to the perfect new home.