What stallholders need to know...
Here’s some information for anyone interested in attending the 5th October 2013 event.
Apologies it’s so long but please make sure you read it all carefully before submitting an application.
The venue, tables and timings:
The event is held at The Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley from 11am – 4pm.
There are 18 stalls available on 2 floors.
But only 11 tables available so you need to indicate whether you can bring your own table when completing the enquiry form.
I have the venue booked from 9am – 5pm. Please make every effort to turn up at 9:30 so I have time to set up the rooms.
Stallholders can set up their stalls from 9:30am ready to start at 11am. I will be on site arranging the tables from 9am so please do not turn up any earlier. A table plan will be emailed out a week before the event.
Parking is available outside the centre on Broad Street but may get full quite quickly. I’m unsure of prices for a Saturday at the moment as well but think it’s a bit steep.
Alternatively, you can use the centres 3 space loading bay to unload and then move your car to the Tesco and use the walkway to then walk to the centre. You will not receive a fine for staying over their allocated 3 hours (details of this will be sent with confirmation of stall).
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR PARKED ON THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINES – I can’t control traffic wardens and as it’s a Saturday they’re more likely to be out and about.
Cost:
All tables are £20 each to cover the cost of the venue, insurance and some advertising. The fee also includes the opportunity to include your business cards into x30 goodie bags which go to customers free of charge.
Stallholders:
· Must have public and product liability insurance – you will be asked to provide a copy of the certificate prior to the event. This is to protect you, the venue and all customers.
· Must hand make their items. Following feedback from interested stallholders and crafters I decided to make the fair 100% handmade. If you are in any doubt as to whether you qualify please let me know.
· Should try and advertise the event in anywhere possible. Posters can go up in schools, colleges, places of work etc. If all stallholders do this then we can reach a much bigger number of people. I have attached some posters for you.
How to book:
· Complete the application form via this link: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/efaeufG6bJ2tW0
· Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee you a stall at this point as I need to ensure that the items you provide fit in with the fair and that I don’t already have a stall signed up who sell similar items.
· Tables are not secured until completed application form and payment has been received.
· Payments for tables are accepted via paypal only (further details will follow if you are successful).
· All payments for stalls must be received up to 2 weeks before the event. If not paid then unfortunately your stall will be released to someone on the reserve list.
Reserve list:
To facilitate cancellations and non-payments as above, I will have a reserve list. This is for people who are interested in attending if a stall becomes available should payment not be made 2 weeks before the event. If you would like to be put on this reserve list please let me know.
Advertising:
· The event is advertised on The Mitchell Arts Centre’s website from January and they also allow me to provide flyers in the box office display. The centre has various events in their café as well as their theatre productions so they have a lot of natural footfall. The event is advertised on their website 4-6 weeks in advance as well.
· In the run up to the event I’ll be going facebook crazy to make sure it gets as much notice as possible. It definitely seemed to do the trick for the February event.
· The event is posted on the “What’s on” sections online at various local newspapers as well as Signal One’s website. (If you know of anywhere else I should be including this please let me know).
· I visit Hanley 2-3 weeks prior to the event to distribute posters to places such as the market and other shops that may attract crafty folk.
· I’m working with other organisers and businesses to advertise the event as far and wide as possible.
· I’m sure I’ll find lots of other advertising opportunities along the way and will keep you updated. But again if you know of any free / cost effect ways to advertise please let me know.
Please note that I don’t have any posters to send to you at this point in time as I haven’t confirmed the additional entertainment. As soon as I have them I’ll email them out to you.
Other opportunities:
You don’t need to be a stallholder to take advantage of some opportunities:
· Goodie bags – These bags will be received by the first 30 people to walk through the door. For £3 businesses can include their business cards, flyers, discounts or postcards into these bags. Alternatively, you can provide your business cards for free if you provide a small item to be included in. These went really quickly last time and were quite popular.
· Goodie bag advertising – As well as being able to place cards into the bags, for £10 you can also have a printed advert on one full side of the bags which are takeaway size.
Raffle prizes:
I am on the hunt for raffle prizes and all ticket proceeds will be split equally between The British Heart Foundation and COAP.
There will be an album on the facebook page for all of these raffle prizes and a list of who has donated them will be included with the winners of the prizes as well as displayed on the day.
Me:
My name is Natasha and I run the event voluntarily and do not make any money from the fair. I work full time so can’t always respond to you instantly but endeavour to respond within 24 hours. The bazaar is a not for profit organisation so all money that comes in, goes out on advertising, attaining marketing, and the various bits and bobs needed for the fair. If there’s anything left over then it goes to the charities.
Newsletter:
I periodically send out newsletter to everyone on the mailing list. They’re short and sweet but give updates on the bazaar as well as details of advertising and next events. To add yourself to the mailing list, simply fill in your details here:
https://www.facebook.com/StokeCraftworkersBazaar/app_100265896690345
Contact:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/stokecraftworkersbazaar
Twitter - @stokecraftwork
Email – [email protected]
If you have any feedback, advice, want to offer support or provide sponsorship as well as applying to be a stallholder please do get in touch. I’m very keen to work with stallholders to make sure they’re happy too. Can’t guarantee I can do everything you ask but I can try.