You mention salerooms, the associations, then a few shops, centres and outdoor events.
Please don’t disregard the indoor multi-day fairs which are also being adapted. It seems unlikely there will be any three-day fairs till September, when my Petersfield fair will take place on September 4-6 (unless there is a re-lockdown).
I have formulated a one-way system with 3m-wide gangways and 26 stands separated by walling or a 1m gap between them. The fair will be by invitation only.
Visitors will need to book appointments in 15-minute slots for the mornings, then from 1.30pm it will be free-flow, with a max number of visitors at any one time. Visitors will only be able to handle items if first they sanitise their hands, and jewellery will be cleaned after being tried on.
This morning I sent out the basic proposals to 65 former Petersfield exhibitors and already have half the stands spoken for.
There is clearly an appetite to get back to fairs. But the cost for dealers has to be kept to the barest minimum – it is a gamble!
However, provided we reassure visitors that it will be as safe as is possible for them, I am sure they will be as keen as dealers to get back to the fairs.
Caroline Penman
Penman Antiques Fairs
