Newark International Antiques Fair
ByThe Newark Antiques Fair used to be the highlight of my callender , for many years I had a stall there or spent the full two days buying . The fair seemed to go down hill – less stalls no customers and nothing to buy. With the 2 hour journey each way and the £20 entrance fee it simply was no longer fun or profitable. Gradually I stopped going and my last visit was a year ago.
Yesterday I happened to have a spare day and decided to give it another try and I am totally hooked again. Granted the glorious weather helped and it was not quite the fair it was in its heyday but there were plenty of stalls and the prices were almost reasonable. I walked for hours, met loads of people I havnt seen for a while, bought a box full of good stock & all in all had a great time. Certainly I will be going back in August – see you there!
I came across your comments on Newark and must agree that there was a bad period. I believe that was when the fairs were changing the dates to compete with eachother. I bring shoppers from the USA and found a great increase this year in the number of dealers, the quality of the merchandise and the more reasonable pricing. We Americans also now have the benefit of a stronger Dollar. Check out my website: http://www.EuropeAntiqueTrip.com
Personally I prefer to visit Swinderby UK International Antiques Fair first as all the dealers seem to move from this fair to Newark UK (the two events run one into the other in the same week and are physically very near to each other). I agree that there are signs that both venues administration are begining to realize high dealer stall rents and high trade entry fees are a thing of the past. 2009 could begin a long overdue global renaisance for the antiques trade (in my opinion). After all, antiques are a form of recycling and alternative investment, both of which seem to me an alternative lifestyle investment choice during the global credit crunch.
Personally I prefer to visit Swinderby UK International Antiques Fair first as all the dealers seem to move from this fair to Newark UK (the two events run one into the other in the same week and are physically very near to each other). I agree that there are signs that both venues administration are begining to realize high dealer stall rents and high trade entry fees are a thing of the past. 2009 could begin a long overdue global renaisance for the antiques trade (in my opinion). After all, antiques are a form of recycling and alternative investment, both of which seem to me an alternative lifestyle investment choice during the global credit crunch. http://www.arts-and-crafts-company.com
I have become very aware of the death of many antiques shows as well as the closing of many antiques malls. The economy has eliminated the periferal “dealers” who joined the ranks during the boom days. Many called themselves dealers when they actually had a booth in a co-op. Now the time has come for the real antiquers to rise. I forsee dealers will be less in numbers but more in knowledge and integrity than previous years. The shows that survive will be the two extremes. The high end, high quality shows and the giant “anything goes” wholesale shows.
Also The European markets are experiencing a resurgence of American buyers due to the crash of the UK pound and the Euro against the dollar. We traveled to Europe in December and February with the group EuropeAntiqueTrip com and found the dollar to be strong and also the European sellers were still desperatly discounting the old prices. I can see more American antiques shoppers taking advantage of the European fairs.
I am amazed at the USA show promotors and charity show organizers who think that increasing the booth rents will cure thier cash flow problems. The success of the Usa shows will be thier ability to get the retail shoppers in the door. If your show is not Brimfield, Ma. or DMG Newark, UK, both of which are “wholesale” then advertising to the PUBLIC rather than only to the trade will be important. I hope you enjoyed my thoughts. Felicia
As one of the organisers of the Newark International Antiques Fair it’s great to be able to read comments like the ones on this site. We are looking for ways to try and keep a lid on our pitch prices and are always running offers to buyers of some sort. There is a fine balance though between making the fairs too cheap so that the trade no longer know who they are dealing with (how many times have I heard the moans about ‘sightseers’?)and attracting the right quality of buyers and dealers. A fair like Newark is a huge challenge as it actually encompasses several different fairs in one; from the large furniture dealers to specialised ceramics and jewellery dealers. I’ll keep checking this site for comments though – good or bad!
i hope you are still checking this site and the related sites .ithink newark may have shot itself in more than the foot this time.the gossip in the trade is that iacf has harmed newark alot more than arthurswallow fairs and much as we need the organisers there will be no fair with out the traders who are sick of spitful and petty actions namely iacf trying to sabatage lincoln
Looks like most are in Support of Aurthur Swallow. Is there any support out there for the Newark Fair?
SUPPORT NEWARK NOT ON YOUR LIFE WHAT HAVE THEY EVER DONE TO HELP THE TRADE . NOW STARTING A FAIR AT SWINDERBY WHEN NEWARK IS ON ITS AR***
HOW CAN ANY ONE THINK THIS WILL WORK BUILD NEWARK UP FIRST BEFORE YOU THINK OF OPENING A FAIR A FEW MILES AWAY . WHO’S IDEA WAS THIS SOMEONE WHO SITS IN A OFFICE CAME UP WITH THIS BRAINWAVE. NO IDEA AT ALL ABOUT THE TRADE AND HOW DEALERS TICK . BIG MISTAKE PUTTING SWINDERBY SHOW ON AND TRYING TO SQUASH LICOLN DEALERS DONT LIKE DIRTY TRICKS THIS WILL ALL BACK FIRE ON YOU LOT AT D.M.G. BECAUSE OF ALL THIS- LINCOLN HAS NOW HAD MORE SUPPORT AND NOW SHOWS D.M.G. FOR WHAT THEY ARE . I WILL BE CANCELLING ALL MY FUTURE NEWARK FAIRS.