Kink Vendors : feasability of a new market? (53)

So I am putting it to you, the vendors, and anyone in the know about this kind of thing, if it would be feasable to get a market going say once or twice a month? Also the opinions of those that come to manchester, if they would be interested, or are you happy already in travelling to places like BBB and LAM (as I'm sure interest is a major factor to the vendors).

My idea was that instead of one vendor investing in renting a stall or shop, could people of the scene put their heads together to take over a retail space for a day and have an alternative market to match that of BBB and LAM?

• the rent would be shared for the space
• it gives you all a chance to boost your businesses
• gives manchester a bit more of a defined place to buy kink/alternative clothing

I've seen a small business recently do this in sheffield; find an empty space, didn't bother fitting the shop out, just got dump bins and clothing rails, and its been open for about a month now.

Now I don't know much about market/selling license and such, and who you need to get permission off, but that is the purpose of this thread for everyone to discuss if it might be an idea, or whether it would fall flat on it's face..??

There are a few ok shops for kinky items on tib street such as Nua but I wouldnt go out of my way to go down there with easier options on the net. Sorry Sarah

A good market would be great as it could also be like a munch type thing too.

How about utilising an existing perve event.

This has happened elsewhere, such as Afterlife in Preston, where, some time ago if not presently, pervy-crafters were encouraged to set up stalls at the event. I've never been, so cant comment on its success.

So, over to you @ Lash and rubberedupnorth etc have you the space/room/interest etc. And what encouragement are you prepared to offer, ie free entry to crafters ?

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This i obviously where it could fall, as people may start to dwindle away and it may not be anymore... but least it would've been tried

How would you apportion space? Some traders will want more room than others. Do you give each person the same area for the same money? If the traders are paying who puts up the money for the space before any traders sign up? When traders do they sign up how much do they pay? Does trader three pay a third of the total and trader 1 and 2 get a refund down to a third?

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At least that's what happens at trade shows.

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Edited 18 Jan 10, 4:11 AM by Eddymonster

It did well for the first couple of months, and even I had a stall there for my chocolates.

But with dwindling numbers, it faded, unfortunately.

However, if there was such a thing in the local area, I may be tempted to revive the chocolate stall.

I am not sure where this could happen, but I would be interested if it did.

maybe people should, as suggested, utilise their existing events or they will lose them...asin the case of kinky

luckily kinky went out on a high and didnt dwindle out to 3/4 people in the end, but we have to support our local events rather than thinking we can all do better

j xx

RIP KINKY in Leeds, you will be missed!

same happened at kinkdom fetish fayre...lots of support from traders...& organisers, but unfortnatly not from visitors, it too faded.

and Lady Stardust sang her songs, of.....
..............Darkness and Disgrace.

But you have to keep telling them about it too. I imagine previous fairs and markets closed due to a lack of (or poorly targeted) marketing.

Every month needs to be a campaign to get punters through the doors, otherwise numbers dwindle and events fold.

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Jen makes a key point.

Another event, Kinkdom, was attempted last year, bridging yorkshire and lanchashire with the location in halifax/huddersfield. First event was an amazing success, then people lost interest, organisers lost money, and it just wasn't viable after 5 months.

I think it's definitely possible to set something up, but there are a lot of factors to consider.

Stuff that stops people attending:

1. clashing with other events. Not always a case of same event same day, but even just on same weekend as something else. It's hard to miss all other key events, so you will always compete with something.

2. Negative vibe... punters like to feel that the event is already successful. They don't want to risk turning up and shelling out to be standing in an empty room with 20 desperate looking predatorial traders.

3. Backbiting and bitching... and there will be some. From punters, from competitors, from people who didn't even attend but want to stick their oar in. Always happens. And spreads negative vibe (see 2!)

Having been a trader for a few years now, I've talked to quite a few event organisers, and the general consensus seems to be that events like this always lose money to start with. Factoring in some working capital is quite important, since there will always be some unforseen bills to pay, and the organiser cops for it.

Actually that's the key I think... costing it up correctly. Sharing the venue rent between traders sounds great in principle, but traders are happy to pay a reasonable fee that is sufficient to cover good marketing, adequate facilities, and such like. Running on the principle of 'not-for-profit' is great, but sometimes organisers translate that into 'at-a-loss' through fear of charging a fair fee, both for traders and punters.

And to be honest, someone somewhere will accuse the organiser of money-grabbing, they always do. I've yet to see an organiser driving round in the merc bought by the proceeds but that doesn't stop some people from questioning every last penny of their entry fee.

Licenses will depend on the local council. Usually comes under 'craft market' I believe, but you'd have to check that obviously.

This all sounds negative, but all I'm doing is pointing out some of the things I've experienced.

I think with open eyes and good planning it could be fantastic, and I wholeheartedly offer my support if you need a pair of hands or half a brain (that's the most that works at any given moment). I think the North would benefit hugely from a market type event to complement the other wonderful events around!