Brimfield, Newark indeed all open air and indoor fairs.
Antique Fairs vs Antique Centres: The Real Cost of Romance
There’s a certain bravado to saying you “do the fairs.” Early starts, long drives, muddy fields, big takings — it all sounds wonderfully heroic. And sometimes it is. But strip away the romance and you’re left with a simple question: what did it actually cost you to take that money?
Because fairs are expensive in ways people conveniently forget. Pitch fees, fuel, hotels (or the back of a van if things are going badly), food on the hoof, time off the road, time not buying, and the small matter of risk — damage, theft, weather, and exhaustion clouding your judgement. You can take well, certainly. But you can spend just as impressively getting there.
Now compare that with a properly run antiques centre. For roughly £12.90 a day — all in — you get premises, staff, security, heat, light, card machines, packing, posting, and someone else dealing with the public while you get on with sourcing stock or, frankly, living your life. No mud. No tents. No sleeping in a car wondering why you thought this was a good idea.
And here’s the unfashionable truth: consistency beats theatre. A good centre quietly sells, day in, day out, without fuss or fanfare. No grandstanding, no “look what I bought” performances — just steady turnover, controlled costs, and margins that actually hold.
By all means, do the fairs if you enjoy the chase. But don’t confuse activity with profit. One makes for good stories. The other pays the bills.
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