North East Craft Markets

Welcome to my list of craft, art and indy markets which i currently know of in and around Newcastle.
As craft markets come and go and change venues etc, i’m relying on makers based in Newcastle and around the area to help me update it.
Therefore if anyone has been to these markets and can give me details to fill the gaps (of which there are lots), or if you know of any other events in the area which I’ve missed please comment on this post and I will add the info in. Thank you.
Also if anyone would like to give a very short review of the market as a seller or visitor please comment and I will add this (if appropriate) to the relevant event. As I co-founded the 1st event, although i’m no longer involved in running it, I won’t review any (as it may seem biased).
The events below are in no particular order and I will update the list when possible.

1. Make and Mend Market.
Brief bit:
This is a well established independent market that offers craft, art and 2nd hand/vintage items. It’s event’s are held at the Star and Shadow Cinema in Ouseburn and the Grainger Arcade in Newcastle City Centre.
It has a loyal fan base and friendly atmosphere. Likely to be waiting list if you don't book early there is often a waiting list to get a stall at the S&S events.

Number of stalls: 20+ when at SandS. 18-20 max when at Grainger Arcade.

Cost of stalls: £20 when at SandS and £25 when at Grainger.

Public liability insurance needed: No for events at SandS. Yes for events when at Grainger.

Market dates: Many contact them for details

Contact details and website: http://makeandmendmarket.co.uk/

Tips: If you’re in the atrium area of Star & Shadow (where most stalls are) bring a coat! Bring your lunch

2. Tyne Bar Craft Market (IS ON HOLD/POSSIBLY ENDED)
Brief bit:
If this is still going then it will probably be seasonal.

Number of stalls: ?

Cost of stalls: ?

Public liability insurance needed: No

Market dates: ?


Contact details: ?

Tips: Anyone got any good tips for people wanting to sell at this market?

3. Tyneside Cinema
Brief bit:
This is a market I’ve been wanting to try out for a while. The events are seasonal I think. It’s a beautiful art deco venue in the heart of the city centre and offers craft and art from local makers – so no 2nd hand sellers. A nice friendly atmosphere.

Number of stalls: Unsure

Cost of stalls: Unsure but i think around 15 - 20

Public liability insurance needed: ?

Market dates: Around 4 times a year - contact them for current dates.

Contact details and website: http://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk, box.office@tynesidecinema.co.uk or Laura.Allan@tynesidecinema.co.uk

Tips: Anyone got any good tips for people wanting to sell at this market?

4. Designer's Market Place Middlesborough Town Hall (unsure if this is still going)
Brief bit:
The Designers Marketplace is a well established market. The Middlesborough event is BIG and popular with a high number of visitors. They’re quite selective about sellers and it is a market solely for designer-makers and artists.

Number of stalls: I think around 40-50

Cost of stalls: £40 when in Middlesborough.

Public liability insurance needed: No

Contact details and website: info@designersmarketplace.org.uk, http://www.designersmarketplace.org.uk

Tips: Really think about your display all the sellers have lovely stalls, so it will make a difference to your sales.

5. Daisy Green Events
Brief bit:
Daisy Green is an ethical fashion magazine founded in about 2009 and the founders also run events including markets of the vintage and craft/designer ilk. These are irregular and pop up all over the place. They are generally inconjunction with something else - i.e. fashion show, corporate event, charity do, clothes swap, etc. The magazine has a big following and they do a lot of stuff so are good at getting the word out there, therefore depending on which market you sell at the visitor numbers can be high.

Number of stalls: Varies from event to event.

Cost of stalls: Varies.

Public liability insurance needed: Quite likely but probably depends on event.

Market dates: Often but irregular – contact DGE for details.

Contact details: enquiries@daisygreenevents.co.uk, http://www.daisygreenevents.co.uk/

Tips: Think very carefully about the audience you will be selling to at these varied events and what kind of market it will be as some of the events may not be suitable for what you offer.

6. Quayside Market
Brief bit:
A well established market which was given a new lease of life as a craft market in the summer of 2007 (or around then). It is held every Sunday along by the river Tyne (Quayside), Newcastle and is run by Newcastle City Council. Although there is a lot of craft type stuff, not all of it is handmade by the sellers. There are lots of stalls (most enclosed marquees) and you can usually get hold of one with not too much notice. Problem is as with any outdoor based event, this is weather dependent and being that its in England and especially in the North, this is risky.  If it’s a good day you can get a lot of visitors but I would say if you want to sell at this market you probably want to have a product that is pretty commercial rather than niche.

Number of stalls: At a guesstimate around 30?

Cost of stalls: Unsure of current cost

Public liability insurance needed: Yes

Market dates: Every Sunday 9.30am to 4pm

Contact details and website:
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/level2?readform&ID=100002~200066

markets@newcastle.gov.uk

Tips: If doing this in winter, have as many layers on as physically possible (its bloody freezing), wear thermals. Bring a chair they are not provided.
Be aware that winds can be quite strong here, so may need to weigh down some light items.

7. Tynemouth Market
Brief bit:
Another well established event. This is held in Tynemouth Metro station every Saturday and Sunday. You'll find quite a mix at this market – craft, art, vintage, bric-a-brac, antiques, etc. I've been as a visitor but never had a stall and I think i've heard tell that Sunday is more crafty than Saturday.
Whenever I’ve been its always fairly busy, but it attracts bargain hunters so sales can be slow at first, but if you're a regular stall holder you can build up a reputation and sales improve.

Number of stalls: Around 40 at a guesstimate.

Cost of stalls: Unsure of cost now

Public liability insurance needed: No

Market dates: Every Saturday and Sunday.

Contact details and website: http://www.tynemouth-market.com

markets@millhouse-group.com

Tips: If you're going to do this market its a good idea to do it regularly for a while in order to build up a reputation.


8.  Monument Market and occasional Eldon Square events
Brief bit:
Newcastle City Council run markets at the Monument and sometimes markets alongside the ‘Hippy Green’ as many people call it, which is the green park bit on Blackett Street outside of Eldon Square.
To get a stall at these events it tends to be expensive because of the prime location. Especially the Christmas markets which I think are £75 - not sure if this is for day or weekend. Actually its pretty reasonable considering the stalls at the Monument markets are enclosed marquees and are BIG.

Number of stalls: Around 16 at Monument and 10 at Eldon Sq. This is a guesstimate. Help me out with this one

Cost of stalls: Unsure, but I think from around £75 at Monument? Help me out with this one

Public liability insurance needed: Yes

Market dates 2011: The Christmas Market will take place between Wednesday 7 December and Sunday 11 December 2011 at Grey’s Monument and Old Eldon Square.
You will need to contact them re the dates of other events.

Contact details: markets@newcastle.gov.uk

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/level2?readform&ID=100002~200066

Tips: ? Anyone??

9. Grainger Art and Craft Market
Brief bit:
This is where it gets a bit confusing, as this is not the same as the Make and Mend Market when held in Grainger Arcade. This is the council run monthly art and craft market. I’ve not been as a seller only as a visitor. It tends to be more old school craft rather than contemporary. I’m not sure if you can just get a stall on an occasional basis or whether you need to sign up for a certain amount of time. Sorry i don’t know a great deal about this one. Tables and chairs provided which is good if you’re coming by public transport.

Number of stalls: Around 20 - guesstimate. Help me out here

Cost of stalls: ? Help me out here

Public liability insurance needed: Yes

Market dates: 2nd Sat of every month 9am - 5pm

Contact details: markets@newcastle.gov.uk
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/level2?readform&ID=100002~200066

Tips: ? any pearls of wisdom welcome

10. Armstrong Bridge (is this even still going? Help me out here)
Brief bit:
An established craft and art market which is held on Armstrong Bridge in Jesmond.
I’ve never been to this one as a seller, mainly because to be a stall holder (although this may have changed) you need a licence for a year. It is run by Newcastle City Council (this may have changed). Therefore you have to be pretty dedicated and not really for someone just starting out. I imagine that it has a loyal following as its been going for ages and its in an affluent area in lovely surroundings so visitors may be more likely to buy. It is outside so probably quite weather dependent.

Number of stalls: ?

Cost of stalls: ?

Public liability insurance needed: ?

Market dates: Was every Sunday ?

Contact details and website: According to the Newcastle City Council site, you need to contact the organiser in writing: Gillian Miller, PHEP, Newington Road East, Newcastle, NE6 5BD
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/craftfairsandorganisers

Tips: ? Anyone??

11. Affordable Vintage Fair – Northumbria University
Brief bit:
A pretty well established, national traveling event, which comes to Newcastle around 3-4 times a year and is held at Northumbria University. This event is incredibly popular. I’ve been as a seller and visitor and it is always really busy.
Craft sellers offering vintage inspired/relate items are also welcome. I would recommend any makers wanting to sell here that the items they’re selling have definitely got vintage appeal as the visitors who attend are very into their vintage and are generally only after proper vintage stuff. They also have events close by in Durham.

Number of stalls: 40ish maybe more Help me out here

Cost of stalls: ? I think around £45 Help me out here

Public liability insurance needed: No

Market dates: Unsure you will need to contact them for info. Help me out here

Contact details: http://www.vintagefair.co.uk/
http://www.vintagefair.co.uk - contacts page


Tips: It gets really busy in here so if you’re a stall holder and want to look at the other stalls do it first thing as you won’t get a chance later.

Make stuff that appeals to students as there are many student visitors.

12. Pins and Needles
Brief bit:
This is a fair rather than a market, with workshops, crafty demonstrations and more. I've never been but i know it takes place annually and i have been told it is heavily attended. It is craft only and although the main focus is textile craft there are also a lot of jewellery sellers and other types of craft sellers too from what I can gather. It takes place in the Metro Radio Arena and I think is run by a promotions company.

Number of stalls: ? A lot Help me out here

Cost of stalls: ? Expensive but not sure how much. Help me out here

Public liability insurance needed: I expect so Help me out here

Market dates: Thursday 31st March – Sat 2nd April

Contact details: alison@initialj.co.uk, www.initialj.co.uk

Tips: This one probably isn’t for a newbie maker testing the field as its pricey, so you need to know you will make your money back. Its heavily attended though so if you know you’re stuff sells well at markets then this is for you.

13. Gibside Craft and Farmer’s market
Brief bit:
I know very little about this market apart from where it is. I think its been going for a while. It takes place on 3rd Sat of every month and is outside in Gibside park and nature reserve. More info welcome here.

Number of stalls: ? Help me out here

Cost of stalls: ? Help me out here

Public liability insurance needed: ? Help me out here

Market dates: 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month

Contact details: gibside@nationaltrust.org.uk, http://beta.nationaltrust.org.uk/home/item248903/

Tips:? Anyone??

14. Time and Tide Events  - events throughout the North East
Brief bit:
This organisation put on a range of speciality events across the North East region.
They're always on the look out for potential new stall holders

Number of stalls: 14 - 100.  Varies dependent on event

Cost of stalls: From £20

Public liability insurance needed: Yes

Market dates: Varies

Contact details: timeandtideevents@gmail.com

Tips: Be individual and offer something different which no one else will be offering

16. Vintage and handmade fair
Brief bit:
This is a new event which is being held at the Royal Station Hotel, near Newcastle train station.
I was told about this by someone else, so i do not have much info at the moment. If its a regular event i will update this once the 1st event has been held, then hopefully i'll have more details.

Number of stalls: Unknown

Cost of stalls: £35

Public liability insurance needed: ? Unsure Help me out here

Market dates: Sunday 24th July

Contact details: Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-and-Handmade-fair/156066991126787
website: www.thesefoolishthings.co.uk

Tips:Anyone got any good tips for people wanting to sell at this market?

17. Makers Market
Brief bit:
A handmade goods only indoor market running twice a month at St Patrick’s Church Hall, Consett.

As well as craft fairs they also run workshops & free business advice sessions.
Pitches are approx 6-7ft by 2-3ft

Number of stalls: Unknown contact for info

Cost of stalls: £15

Public liability insurance needed: Unknown

Contact details and website: http://www.mmconsett.co.uk/index.html and www.facebook.com/MakersMarkets


Tips: Anyone got any good tips for people wanting to sell at this market?


18. The Souk Ouseburn
Brief bit:
A pop up market in Hoults Yard offering food and a range of craft/ design stalls plus DJs. Admission for visitors is £2

Number of stalls: Unknown

Cost of stalls: £80 for two days (Sat & Sun)

Public liability insurance needed: Unknown

Contact details and website: james@independent-events.com, https://www.facebook.com/thesoukouseburn?fref=ts

Tips: Anyone got any good tips for people wanting to sell at this market?


19. Living North Fair
Brief bit:
A well established fair rather than market. It takes place in March and in November. A huge event recommended for those seasoned makers who know they are able to sell a lot as it is quite pricey. There are events in York as well as in Gosforth Racecourse. It is well publicised and they have lots of visitors.

Number of stalls: Unknown

Cost of stalls: I think around £400 for 3 days (Fri, Sat and Sun). Unsure

Public liability insurance needed: Uncertain but almost definitely

Contact details and website: http://livingnorthfair.wordpress.com/

Tips: Anyone got any good tips for people wanting to sell at this market?