Penman Antiques Fairs enjoyed a relatively successful 2011, avoiding the worst snows of the winter & any excesses in the summer.
Business was strongest with our jewellery dealers, so our main problem has been the limitation of jewellery (and paintings) stands, keeping a good balance of disciplines in the fairs. It has been hard to maintain sufficient Georgian/early Vic furniture in all the fairs, but there is enough business to please at least a few furniture stands per fair.
As those who count their pennies realize that they cannot afford the luxury of antiques, we have turned our advertising and promotion towards the richer collectors who are now looking at our £500 to £10,000 levels instead of sky-high prices. Penmans have also been successful in filling fairs with reputable dealers by offering high standards at reasonable prices. Proof of this is the fact that our 2012 fairs are already over 75% booked!
For 2012 we are delighted to be re-introducing the Guildford Antiques & Art Fair, on the same ground as the former fair (organised by the Heath Bullock family) which stopped in 2004 when the Guildford Civic Hall was demolished. Now the site is rebuilt and opened in September as “G-Live!” We will hold a 4 day fair there in late May, with 55 stands (44 already booked). Then a 2-day Christmas fair in December! Thus Guildford joins Chester, Petersfield and Chester in hosting 2 Penman Fairs per year.
The other new 2012 project is working with Cotswolds Antique & Art Dealers Association, organizing their fair in the Orangery at Blenheim Palace – at the same time as Chelsea Art Fair in April. Quite a challenge!
But Penmans have been rising to challenges for over 40 years! 2012 will not be the last!
Posted on December 28, 2011 by Editors
0