Antiques Wars? Swinderby fair to be revived by Newark owners!
ByIs there to be an antiques fair war? A clash of the two Titans of the Antiques Fair world?
The countries best fair the Newark Antiques fair has long been plagued by Aurthur Swallow fairsrunning a down market event on the nearby disused Swinderby airfield in the days running up to the Newark fair. ( This is my blog and so you do get my personal opinion of the two fairs!). Recently Arthur Swallow held their last fair on the Swinderby site and announced that they would be moving the fair to the Lincolnshire show ground site. This move was quite a bold step and may have moved the fair upmarket somewhat as the facilities on the Lincolnshire showground are much better than those on the Swinderby airfield.
Now I see ( according to the Antique Trade Gazette ) that the owners of the Newark fair are to run a fair on the Swinderby site at almost the same time as the Arthur Swallow fair on the Lincolnshire show ground.
Here is a copy of the piece
Newark owners revive Swinderby 21st August 2009 INTERNATIONAL Antiques and Collectors’ Fairs (IACF), the owners of the Newark showground fair, have announced controversial plans to revive the fair at RAF Swinderby just days after the site was vacated by Arthur Swallow Fairs in favour of the Lincoln Showground. IACF say they have an agreement with the site owners to run an antiques fair at Swinderby for at least two years without fear that the disused airfield will be redeveloped. Keith Harris and Robert Thomas, veteran exhibition organisers who acquired the Newark, Ardingly, Shepton Mallet and Detling fairs from DMG under the revived IACF brand in May, announced their plans in an email to customers on August 20. They are proposing a fair with set up on Monday, October 5 and a single buying day on Tuesday, October 6. Newark then follows on October 8-9.
For full details visit www.antiquestradegazette.com
So we have the new Swinderby fair on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th of October. The Lincolnshire show ground fair on the 6th and Wednesday 7th with the Newark fair at on the Thursday and Friday of the same week.
That should be really interesting – dealers are most unlikely to be at both the Linconshire showground fair and the revised Swinderby fair both the cost and logistics would be quite prohibitive , choices will have to be made. Are they going to be loyal to Aurthur Swallow and take a risk at the new venue? Or will they stick to the site they know and which is miles closer to the Newark fair? You can be sure I will be asking traders and seeking their opinion and will report back next week.
Are you a stall holder at any of these fairs? Please do leave a comment with your view
The truth is if we dont support LINCOLN we will let I.C.A.F (D.M.G) have the monopoly god help us all next year D.M.G..will double our rents . We need the competition between these two fairs to survive we can not let D.M.G. do this to us .I say support LINCOLN . The move will be great for us all . Dealers and buyers over the years have went on about dirty toilets etc this upgrade is well overdue . O.K the first fair will be a bit hectic ,Every – thing will soon settle back to the wonderful fair it has always been ..We must also thank Arthur Swallow for starting Swinderby in the begining .We would of all been crippled with larger rents at Newark than we already have .This is why a lot of dealers can not afford to do Newark .
I also find it amusing at Annes comments asking what fair will we be standing at in October . Surely all these emails must of given her a small hint .
ITS LINCOLN ALL THE WAY GOOD LUCK ARTHUR SWALLOW WE ARE ALL BEHIND YOU .
After supplying the Global Antiques Trade for more than 25 years our customer base was in effect poached away by the Giant car boot style Newark antiques fair, Swinderby followed and the bulk of the established English Antique Wholesale Trade disappeared. In my opinion a large proportion of both fairs were and still are made up of, shall we say part time or occasional “antiques dealers”. With the event at Newark shrinking fast and also this renewed rivalry between the two fairs, maybe the Trade Antique buyers from around the World will finally return to the Established English Wholesale Antiques Trade. Alan Marshall. Kirton Antiques. Lincolnshire.
Er Alan
I’m not part time sorry. I’m sure they hit your business, but you gotta roll with the punches
have you gone down the on line route heavily instead of keeping your fingers crossed that either of the big fairs may implode?
I will support Lincoln….There are many people like myself who run a niche business and the type of items for sale at Swinderby makes the fair unique because it is the only place that I can still buy by chance things that I want which which now days also appear on Ebay. I dont have to rely on Swinderby to buy what I want of course as I can still buy what I want through the way I know best for myself but Swinderby is the only big fair that I attend and I will miss the old airfield
Its a pity about what has happened as like the classic car and motorcycle world, it is all fanishing due to the fact there is hardly any youth at these events. Once the older post war generation have gone then there will be a big gap. Sometimes I feel young myself at all these shows and I am 54. Our chosen business really only appeals to the generations up and till the 80′s I would guess…how many youngsters do you see nowdays driving Cortinas or Capris……the people that own something classic are the same people that were into it when they were young.
The classic car and bike world both have had similar problems and it is all about imediate greed without any view for the future…..what ever that will be!
For many, many years I visit the UK twice a year, just for Swinderby and Newark.
My full support and sympathy is for Arthur Swallow: he has proved to be very capable of running a fair that is interesting for buyers and sellers from the continent. The Newark Fair was getting worse year after year: stallholders are now leaving on the first day, most of the inside stalls are empty at 4 o`clock. When DMG sold the antique fairs we hoped there would be a new policy. Now we know what policy.
The only solution for newark is: look after your stallholders and your buyers, improve your own fair in stead of starting a war no one can win in these days of recession.
As an oversea buyer I was a VIP member. I never, never felt that the overseas buyers were treated like that.
YOU MOANING LOT NEED TO REMEMBER JUST WHO STARTED ALL THIS.
IT WAS SWALLOWS THAT WENT BEFORE NEWARK ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.
SWALLOWS ARE THE IDIOTS THAT LEFT THE SWINDERBY SITE OPEN FOR ANYONE TO TAKE IT UP. THERE ARE MORE YEARS LEFT IN THE SITE THAN THEY WILL ADMIT.
I HAVE STOOD WITH SWALLOWS AND WONT GO BACK WITH THEM THEY HAVE NO LOYALTY TO ME. I HAD A PITCH WHICH THEY CANNOT REPLICATE. THEY OFFERED ME A SMALLER SIZE PITCH FOR THE SAME MONEY BUT COULDN’T TELL ME WHERE IT WOULD BE.
I DONT LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON BUT IF IT IS NOT IACF THEN SOME OTHER ORGANISER WAS GOING TO JUMP IN.
OH AND BY THE WAY IT IS NOT DMG ANYMORE IT IS IACF – IF YOU WANT TO MOAN GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT.
CAROLE I THINK IT IS YOU WHO SHOULD GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT .IF SWINDERBY NEVER STARTED ALL THOSE YEARS AGO D.M.G. I.A.C.F WOULD OF HAD THE MONOPOLY AND HELD US ALL TO RANSON HIGH RENTS ETC .BUYERS LOVED SWINDERBY AND ARTHUR SWALLOW ..IT SEEMS YOU ARE THE ONE MOANING ABOUT YOUR SPACE . AS FOR CALLING PEOPLE IDOTS YOU SHOULD BE VERY CAREFULL . MAYBE SWALLOWS FAIR WILL BE A BETTER PLACE WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU THANK GOD YOU HAVE DECIDED NOT TO GO . SWINDERBY WILL BE SHORT LIVED AND CAN ONLY LAST FOR 2 YEARS AT THE MOST THAT IS A FACT CHECK IT OUT .WHAT WILL YOU DO THEN ?? RUN BACK TO SWALLOWS FAIRS AS THERE WONT BE A NEWARK THAT IS DYING ON ITS A—-. IT WAS A DIRTY TRICK ON BEHALVE OF I.A.C.F. TRUE HONEST DEALERS DONT LIKE DIRTY TRICKS . I.A.C.F.DID NOT THINK ABOUT US DEALERS. OFFERING SPECIAL OFFERS WONT LAST LONG EITHER WHEN THEY START RUNNING SWINDERBY AT A LOSS .I JUST DONT BELEIVE SWALLOW HASN’T WORKED WITH YOU TO GIVE YOU A STALL OF YOUR CHOICE HE HAS BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO KEEP ALL HIS DEALERS HAPPY AND THAT IS A FACT I SUGGEST YOU GET ALL YOUR FACTS RIGHT . GOOD LUCK TO THE LADS EVERY- ONE WISHES YOU WELL . FOLLOW THE SWALLOW
I Totally agree with the above comment .Arthur Swallow did a very brave thing all those years ago and started Swinderby . It was needed in the trade as Newark was becoming a one day fair overseas buyers just would not come for the one day and they were disappearing fast. when Swinderby started overseas buyers came in there hundreds and this is a fact as they knew they had a whole week of shopping No-one has given Arthur Swallow fairs any credit for what they did for the whole trade , Also local hotels taxis resturant’s bars van hire petrol stations only to mention a few who have all benefited from this fair . If any one has caused damage here it is I.A.C.F. putting Swinderby on in-front of Newark this will cause great damage to the Newark fair with out a doubt . Why didnt I.A.C.F plough money and effort into Newark and build the dying fair up – And work with Arthur Swallow to get the trade back on its feet . It makes me wonder how these people at I.A.C.F work . They fought and changed dates for many years trying to wreck Swinderby Now they decide to have Swinderby themselves !!!. It doesnt make sense .
I stood at Swinderby for many years, but there was no loyalty from Swallows when they decided to move to Linclon. I was going to lose a third of my space and be charged the same price. I also tried to get a deal on a large marquee and then a smaller one. Mark was not interetsed in trying to accomodate myself, or the 23 other delaers who were in the shopping arcades. There are hundreds of dealers booked for swinderby and I am one of them. I dont hear any of you guys mentioning the organiser of the monthly lincoln fair. this guy has done this fair on this site for many years, what will happen to his fair? Swallows or the showground have`nt shown much loyalty to him. Also, why DID swallows depart so quickly!!! they had over 2 years of their contract to go. Lincoln wont work for many dealers. For all my years of standing at Swinderby, I was shown no loyalty by them!! They took great pleasure in taking bookings from people who had never supported the fair before, but as soon as this new eco building became available, dealers were getting in and dealers like myself were offered nothing. So much for loyalty. I am sure Swinderby will be a great success, and I know of many dealers are only doing Lincoln because they had paid in advance and could`nt afford to lose their money. They wil all be at Swinderby for the December fair. There are many dealers who have found a way of NOT!!!!! standing at Lincoln while not losing all their money, while standing at Swinderby. All of us who are staying at Swinders have been getting the word out to all our buyers, who will be coming to see us at our usual place. Lincoln will do OK, but on a smaller scale. They should never have left the site. They know why they left, I know why they left, but I dont see them telling the dealers why they left. And finally, I know for a fact that if IACF did`nt take over Swinderby someone else would have.
Can I add that any buyer turning up at Swinderby and pays the £15 entrance fee, they will get £10 off their entrance for Newark. And that means that anyone paying to get into Swinderby for the December and February fairs wil get FREE!!!!!! entry into these Newark fairs, as they are already discounting entry to £10 for these 2 fairs. So, very good news for the buyers who come to Swinderby. ALSO, free entry for everyone on the Wednesday!!!!!!
nearly same stall number as under swallow strange
what does that mean????????????? nearly same stall number as under swallow strange
David Craig you are talking a load of rubbish .We always booked and paid for a 24ft X 24ft pitch with Arthur Swallow it was us the dealer that took it upon ourselves to spread out he hasnt robbed any one of us of space .What about the space you get at Newark you can not fit a van caravan and stall on it . As for Swallow running a fair at Lincoln when a small fair is already held when D.M.G. changed all its dates at Newark Jaguar fairs started a fair there . So get your facts right
This small fair will benifit from Swallow fairs it will put the showground on the map and could do this small fair a huge favour . The reason sellers are going to Swinderby is for the cheapness nothing else ,Any sensible dealer will not be won over by a few cheap deals, They can not run at a loss and can not offer these deals permanent .As for free entrance to Newark wow big deal there wont be many buyers going Newark it is on its last why do you think I.A.C.F are doing these deals there worried and they know Newark is on its knees . As for Swallow moving qickley into Lincoln they will have a good reason .Also another load of rubbish stating sellers are staying at Lincoln instead of loosing there money they could of cancelled with no loss of money at all . Total load of rubbish plus why should you have a deal when every other dealer have to pay there due’s .there will be thousands and thousands of buyers at the Lincoln showground the support these guys have had is unbelievable .What happens when Swinderby finishes in 2 years it is only short term .
Jim Bowers. you need a reality check mate. First of all. Many dealers paid cash up front for the October fair. If you bothered to read Swallows terms and conditions it clearly states that any monies paid were non refundable and non transferable. So you got THAT one wrong.
Next one. I was`nt interested in any special deal. I only wanted what I signed up for, which was for a 17ft by 17ft inside pitch. Mark was`nt remotely interested in trying to give me anything near that. I asked him for the biggest marquee he could give me, which was going to cost around £4,000 so that we could get as many of the shopping arcade dealers in the marquee. He then said no, and then said to no to any other private marquees going up stating that he did`nt know where the footfall was going to be. So, 24 dealers were expected to sign up and move to Lincoln losing a third of our space. All facts mate. Swallows were more interested in taking bookings off of Newark, and then giving people who had never supported the Swallows fair before prime positions in the new building.
Next one. IACF have a minimum of 4 years on the Swinderby site and the way things are going, will be there for at least 10 yars. You are obviously not up with the actual facts.
And to say, they must have a good reason for leaving so quick. Why dont you phone and ask them. You wont get the truth though.
There are a few hundred dealers standing at Swinderby, and there will be many more come december. We might even see you there next year.
You enjoy your thousands and thousands of buyers. Us dealers who are staying at Swinders and ALL our buyers will be doing very nicely.
JUST GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT BEFORE SPOUTING A LOAD NONSENSE
DAVID CRAIG This is my final say on the matter .The fact is those lads have bent over backwards to help every one at Lincoln and that is a fact . As for 10 years at Swinderby your the one that is talking a load of rubbish Planning permission is needed for these fairs check it out with Linconshire county council and there is no way there has been 10 years planning permission granted check that out . Maybe Arthur Swallow wanted rid of certain touble makers who moaned and brought the fair dowm and this was his chance Any one who paid upfront in August were guaranteed a pitch . Also another fact dealers who are standing at Newark have been given a offer of cheap pitches at Swinderby so dealers who are doing Lincoln then Newark have passed the cheap pitches over to other sellers who want to do Swinderby and that is a true fact i know of at least 15 dealers who have done this and are only going to Swinderby because of this otherwise the cheap skates wouldnt be at Swinderby .There will be a few dealers at Swinderby for the first day then they will pack up and go paying £30 they have nothing to loose and the fair will be empty . As for not getting a refund that is totally untrue .Where are you getting all this inside information from even I.A.C.F have only said 2 years and 4 years at the most for Swinderby . Lincoln will be a great fair it is fully booked and has a great future all the buyers will be there in there thousands and if they have any money left they might go to Swinderby remember there is another big fair infront which is Peterbrough . The true fact is this is a rivarly with I.A.C.F and they havent thought of there dealers or Newark fair and it will all back fire . When I.A.C.F stop all the special offers we will see if Swinderby will have the support sorry cheap special offers dont win us lot over we are all off to a guenuine fair with a long term future .
JIM BOWERS; You just aint listening. Swallows DID`NT bend over backwards for the 24 shopping arcade dealers. You dont comment on this, I wonder why. They were`nt interested in giving us a like for like stall. What king of deal is it by taking a third of your space and still charging you the same amount.FACT!!!!!!!!!
you dont need planning permission to hold fairs at Swinderby!!!! another fact you have failed to grasp. IACF could hold a fair there everyday of the year if they wanted to. They have 4 years confirmed, and the option for more. I personally can see it there for 10 years, I did`nt say they had a 10 year deal.
YOU obviously dont understand swallows TERMS AND CONDITIONS. NON REFUNDABLE AND NON TRANSFERABLE They put it in writing not me. Thats why you will only see some of these delaers in October as they have already booked their stall at Swindernby in December.
Yes the rivalry is not great for our business, but there are hundreds of dealers who wanted to stay at Swinderby and IACF are giving us that option. And as I said earlier If it was`nt IACF who took it over, then it would have been another organiser. There was at least another 3 who enquired about the venue, and I was one of them.
Well, Thanks all for using my blog to air your points of view. Is this the only place on the intenet which allows the trade a little free speach? Would it be useful for me to add a proper forum here where a proper threaded discussions can take place?
If I see enough demand from you all then I will provide this – do contact me
Anne
I completely agree with Jim Bowers, Lincoln is where I will be in October. I know my US, Dutch and Japanese buyers are only comming to Lincoln so that’s enough for me.
David Craig I have heard from a very very good source that you are actually working for IACF? is this true?
I think that both fairs will suffer. Swinderby has been my favourite fair for a number of years. I was extremely disappointed when I heard it was moving. My next thought was that the site was wide open for somebody else to come in and that is what has happened.
I don’t blame IACF for taking it over, it is business after all and AS are their closest rivals. But it has upset the apple cart. I come from South Essex to do Swinderby and it is quite an expensive exercise. I can see both fairs suffering as many will want to continue to do Swinderby whilst others will want to stay loyal to AS. I don’t know which one to do and in fact may just do Peterborough and give them both a miss.
Well, ANDREW your very very good source is duff. I am not working for IACF, I could`nt afford to take the drop in earnings.
I think many buyers will go to both, they will have 3 days after all. There are a few hundred standing at Swinders and we will have a fair share of our overseas buyers, As I have Korean, Japanese, Italian and various other buyers coming to my usual place, where I have stood for many years.
Infact I was standing at Swallows when they were in the hanger accross the road. I`m staying where I am, for better or worse. I was`nt prepared to lose approx 100sq ft of my space and still be expected to pay the same price and THEN!!! pay an increase come next year.