Newark Antique Fair’s good old vintage appeal

d.churcher@newarkadvertiser.co.uk

Published: 06:07, 16 October 2021

Antiques is so much more than brown wardrobes as a whole new generation of buyers are finding out, and you can even be transported back to your own childhood.

Newark, it is said, has one of the best, if not the best antique and collectors’ fair in the country, possibly the world, with something to suit any taste and any budget.

“It’s still in my book one of the best, if not the best antique fairs in the country,” said garden and architectural ornament seller Carl.

CARL specialises in garden and architectural ornaments and is pictured here with a one-off piece of a unicorn. Carl has attended Newark for more than 20 years and sources stock from fairs, private clients and a previous occupation as a landscaper. He has been around garden and architectural pieces his whole life.

“It’s a total mixture of buyer from everyday Joe wanting to buy something for their home or garden through to the shopkeeper, through to the avid collector, through to the shippers shipping abroad and the foreign trippers.

“I think the market place has changed from antique through to the decorative, which is where it’s at the moment.”

INTERIOR designer Emma Martin, of Emma Martin Interiors, Nottingham.

Will Thomas, managing director of fair organisers IACF, said: “When something is on you doorstep, you can often take it for granted. Six times a year, a world class antiques fair, arguably the best in the world, and its good to remind people of that.

“As well as bringing the trade together from around the country, we really appreciate the local support, all or staff are local.

CRAIG LLOYD co-runs Viking Reclamations at The Vintage Barn, Bathley, and is pictured here with his unique animal characters painted on reclaimed boards, which can be seen at craiglloyd_the_vintage_barn on Instagram. The Vintage Barn is only open by appointment.

“The fair is built on foreign dealers and foreign buyers coming over, so while air travel has been restricted, we’ve actually been really surprised by how busy it’s been here, which is great.

“You can see around the place a lot of people buying stuff for their homes and interiors, not just trade people. People want something that has a unique touch in their house.

“We still have huge amounts of jewellery, whether it be high-end or costume, glass, ceramics, furniture — anything you can think of.

A BUSTLING aisle at the antique fair at Newark Showground on Thursday.

“People still like a day out. Why not support small businesses and this industry is made of small independent traders? We are like the opposite to Amazon.

“The fair is very diverse, something for all budgets and you can even get an ice cream here today because the sun is shining — in October.

“Why not if you’ve never been before, come and see what all the fuss is about?”

AMONG the more quirky items for sale last week were these vintage prosthetic legs.

Interior designer Emma Martin said: “I love coming to the Newark Antiques Fair because it has items that are very different and, because it’s a collectors’ fair as well, there’s always something that captures your eye. Things here have stood the test of time.

Emma said if a home were a blank canvas, it would be possible to largely fit it out with a trip to the Newark fair.

“There is such a variety in the items that are being sold; anything from soft furnishings to wall art, to furniture, rugs, accessories, electric items,” she said.

“The fair has everything that is that little bit special, unique, that you can build your whole look around. You don’t need to fill your room with all the antiques, you just need to find that something that will make your room unique and reflect your personality.”

“Antiques are much more than brown wardrobes.”

Business Newark Quirky Dan Churcher