Latest News Articles by Joan Porter
Famous visitor had been Biden her time to buy
17 February 2025Celebrities and politicians are often spotted hunting for antiques at fairs, markets and centres including singer Taylor Swift who is a fan of Portobello Road Market and Boris and Carrie Johnson, seen recently at Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park.
First Wilton fair of the year ‘will be brimming’
17 February 2025Mikaela and Roger Boon’s well-supported biannual vintage fair in the village of Wilton, near Salisbury, has its first outing of the year on Saturday, March 1, in the Michael Herbert Hall.
Publicity and promotion boosted event’s profile
10 February 2025A fairs organiser who put the high footfall at a new event he launched last year down to “intense promotion” is back at the same venue next month.
Organiser of town centre events across southern England launches another in the capital
10 February 2025An events specialist who has cornered the market for antiques and vintage street fairs across southern England for the past 10 years is moving in towards central London.
Book fair opportunity to celebrate Austen birthday
10 February 2025This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth in 1775 and among the many celebratory events is Miss Austen, a four-episode drama currently airing on BBC 1, which is based on the novelist’s sister Cassandra.
GB Antiques closes its doors after 34 years due to running costs rise
03 February 2025A family-owned antiques centre in Lancaster is set to close its doors after 34 years in business.
Scarborough antiques trail attracting visitors
03 February 2025Local businesses in the Yorkshire seaside town say trail pilot has shown encouraging signs so far
Kent dealer Paul Ellison detects need for fresh fairs
27 January 2025After standing at numerous events for a year, trader with marketing and sales background starts his own
Dorking doubles up for now on venues
27 January 2025“Even though there were no fairs from May to October last year due to the closure of the Dorking Halls, we were lucky enough to have the use of the sports centre next door which thankfully proved to be a great success,” says Jane Alexander, organiser of the well-known Dovehouse Fine Antiques Fairs.
Mills generate range of opportunities
27 January 2025Two antiques centres operate at Cromford Mills in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Disused stations: an alternative sales platform
20 January 2025Former railway stations – plus one still active – can be ideal sites to locate antiques businesses
Father and son duo launch event in Rotherham
13 January 2025Dualco Promotions is launching an antiques and collectors’ fair in Yorkshire to complement the other three events the organisers run in the county.
Crosthwaite encourages DIY approach to selling at a fair
13 January 2025Philip Crosthwaite is no slouch when it comes to marketing initiatives for his monthly Easton Antiques Fairs now held at Easton College, in Norwich which is fully booked each month with 140 dealers.
Improved web offerings and marketing in China show how firms can boost business
06 January 2025Following on from last week’s comments from three fairs and markets organisers on how 2024 has been for their businesses, here is the take from Europe’s largest antiques centre, a fair organiser who is packing them in and a booksellers fairs’ association with a £1m sales figure from just one event.
Year of opportunity coming up at fairs
30 December 2024With new visitors, international buyers returning and a fresh look at events, the mood is upbeat
Glad tidings from 2024 – a look back at a busy year of fairs
16 December 2024It has been a very encouraging year of new fairs and business launches
Shed your inhibitions and shop antiques and vintage
09 December 2024Farm buildings and more humble structures can provide ideal showcases for antiques businesses
Les Puces: the lowdown on a Parisian antiques supercentre
02 December 2024With more than a thousand traders doing business, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris is effectively 12 markets in one
TV presenter’s latest appearance is at Dorset market
25 November 2024Braxton joins newcomers at a market with 32 dealers and a waiting list
Ilkley fair on the way
25 November 2024Lesley Ayres organises the monthly 20-year-old 'Ilkley Antiques Fair' which she has run since 2019. The next is on Sunday, December 1, at the Clarke Foley Community Hub in the North Yorkshire town.