What is going rate for a stall at a craft fair?

usignuolo

My sister and I have time on our hands at present and have been keeping busy making hand made christmas gifts for our family. However we have surplus to requirements and have been thinking of hiring a stall at an indoor craft market, initially as a one off to to see if the stuff we are making is even saleable.

Trouble is, non of the indoor craft fairs and markets I am finding on the net, list any prices for stall holders. They all have Just phone us instructions. So I phoned a couple and got an answerphone message and I am none the wiser.

I should really like a rough idea of how much a stall would cost, at a small indoor craft market, given we are amateurs selling home made stuff. Anyone got any experience to contribute?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Not sure on the cost of a stall but public liability insurance would be a must, should be around £50-100 a year.

If making the items yourserlf I think they'd need to conform to EU safety standards (and be approved as such) if any apply to what you are selling.

MadelinesMum

Hi, you could try a local craft fair. I think they are run like boot fairs, so you probably not need insurance etc... Our local village hall has one a couple of times a year and also there's one at Rye, that is £15 per table and does not mention anything about insurance etc...
http://ryeartsandcrafts.wordpress.com/
Good luck

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

MadelinesMum wrote: »

and does not mention anything about insurance etc...

The insurance is to cover OP should the items they are making cause harm to someone (as well as other things) rather than a requirement to be allowed a stall at a market.

MadelinesMum

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

The insurance is to cover OP should the items they are making cause harm to someone (as well as other things) rather than a requirement to be allowed a stall at a market.

Sorry, what I meant was, I don't think insurance is mandatory at this craft fair. Do you have to have insurance when selling craft items?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

The craft fair may have their own insurance to cover stall holders so worth asking about but if not it's advisable, particularly if making the items yourself, as if there was a claim you would be covered.

If someone were to be seriously harmed and the buyer sued the seller could lose everything (assuming acting as a sold trader, a limited company wouldn't have personal liability so could only lose what the company owns) covering the cost of a case and compensation.

I don't know if CAB would cover this but it's best to seek some advice on what a seller might be liable for before making and supplying a product to the public.

I understand it's extreme but for less than £100 a year it's well worth the peace of mind.

soolin

Some fairs do say they have indemnity insurance to cover all traders so worth checking for that.

As for costs, I have been quoted between £15-£50 depending on venue but if you are selling somethig totally unique (i am not) they will often lower prices to get you.

I have been offered a free stall in november at an event about 25 miles away as long as I supply a raffle gift of approx £10 in value- as the two people arranging have bought from me before and the other takers so far have all been franchises like Jamie at home, Usborne books, Avon etc and they want someone different.

chemical.galaxy

I have done lots of school fairs and local fairs like the village hall, typically £15-£25 per table...

narabanekeater

a stall at my schools xmas fayre is £10

RFW

Regarding insurance contact the National Market Traders' Federation, they would probably be able to help with stalls and locations.

As for prices it can be pretty much anything from a few pounds to over a hundred depending on what/where it is.

Quite a few markets do table top sale days where you can try it out and see if it's for you.

Jo_F

Don't forget that you also need to let the taxman know about this, there is no such thing as a hobby seller, you are a business and will need to register with the tax office.

Fees for tables will be anywhere between £10 and upwards, it all depends on the organiser and the venue/time/duration.

And yes, having your own insurance is a must, you will need public and product liability, if the event is in a council owned building they will insist on it and most councils insist on a minimum of £5m.

Ian Wallace (craftinsurance dot co dot uk) does a policy that covers both for around £100 a year, and you can pay it monthly, he also does cover for other things, (stock loss and such like).