Kelmarsh Trading

[paul bennett]

For those of you who trade at kelmarsh -

Is it worth it if you sell mostly to re-encators?
Is there a decent flow of MOPs who are likely to buy anything more pricey than a beechwood-and-rope sword? Im thinking of games and hobby horses etc rather than tables and benches or the like

[Graham Cooley]

Based on past experience about 50% of our sales are to MOP's. We don't really have anything over about £35 for MOP's but they are willing to spend up to this amount. The MOP's have parted with a significant amount to get into the event, they have travelled some distance, possibly stopped over night locally, need to eat and drink and want to go home with a something to show for all that effort and money apart from a few photos.

Each year is different and we did better when the event was at Stoneleigh and the MOP's went past the market into the event and past us again when going home. However, we cannot change the layout and have to live with what we get when we are there and also we have to live with the weather. It's not cheap but it is one of the few events we actually attend as it works for us.

[Hinny Annie]

90% of our sales are to re-enactors, and yes for us it is worth it

[The Iron Dwarf]

90 to 95% of mine are to reenactors, I see a wider range of era's portrayed there and it is suprising who buys what.
when packing up last year I had a german WWII officer and a viking both wanting the same firebox and both claiming it was perfect

[houseoffreyja]

We sell mainly to Mops (apart from authentic cloaks, we sell generic cloaks and jewellery.) and it's a good event for us. The public will part with their cash for something different, esp. if it's hand made.
Elaine

[The Iron Dwarf]

dont know if it is just around Kettering but so far I have not seen a single sign for the event, we are 8 miles from Kelmarsh and on the A14.
last year there were quite a few round here

[Martin]

financial cuts maybe ?

[The Iron Dwarf]

went there today, there are signs as you get closer but last year they were at every major junction and one a few hundred yards from my works ( which I rescued when it was still at the roadside 2 weeks after the event )
these are the big laminated ones, seen a few aa type signs and laminated ones when I got closer today.

it was blowing a gale, I should have made more tent pegs I think