The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

So the pavilion charges are per table? When I asked for prices this was not mentioned and I have always assumed you got 3-4 tables or whatever you needed. If this is the case it is yet another good reason to go direct to the NRA as we did.

Problem with the NRA is that you have to provide your own tentage, this not an cost effective option for many traders.

I think many thought the pavillion was 'part' of the NRA,me included.
Upside more room to move and see what's there.Downside less to actually see..

Out of interest what is the Pavilion asking for one table?
I enquired last year for the Trafalgar and they wanted £40 IIRC.
I have so much accumulated shooting gear that I toyed with having a table.
The trouble is,even though I am local,the thought of lugging all that gear wasn't that great!

I too would like to see tents like in the old pistol days.
I know business was bigger back then but surely drawing in dealers is key to success.

Tony

Rates are GBP60.00 inc VAT per table however you must book for all three days so GBP180.00. If you need 4 tables then all of a sudden you have an outlay of GBP720.00 before you have even started the car, add the fuel costs and accommodation and food if you are stopping down and it means you need to sell a huge amount to even break even.

Through the NRA we have hired the stand space, purchased a very nice stand with additional graphics and hired 5 tables and if we are not better off we certainly will be for the next show as long as we can continue to book through the NRA.

PLUS all of the money we paid for the stand space goes to the NRA. clapclap

ovenpaa wrote:Rates are GBP60.00 inc VAT per table however you must book for all three days so GBP180.00. If you need 4 tables then all of a sudden you have an outlay of GBP720.00 before you have even started the car, add the fuel costs and accommodation and food if you are stopping down and it means you need to sell a huge amount to even break even.

Through the NRA we have hired the stand space, purchased a very nice stand with additional graphics and hired 5 tables and if we are not better off we certainly will be for the next show as long as we can continue to book through the NRA.

PLUS all of the money we paid for the stand space goes to the NRA. clapclap

I've been to the fairs as a 'punter' a few times and it's always a lot easier to look at the stalls that are outside in tents. Therefor I spend more time looking at them.

If I were in the position of a seller who regularly attended these events, I would be buying a tent etc for sure. As you say ovenpaa, there is an outlay at first but after that you're all set for other events.

One of the many problems with the stand alone tents is firearms security. When everyone is under the same roof there are always people sleeping with the guns and keeping an eye out. When you have your own tent then you are stuck with it all the time and cannot leave. It also means sleeping under canvass and all the attendant slumming it that that entails.

dromia wrote:One of the many problems with the stand alone tents is firearms security. When everyone is under the same roof there are always people sleeping with the guns and keeping an eye out. When you have your own tent then you are stuck with it all the time and cannot leave. It also means sleeping under canvass and all the attendant slumming it that that entails.

I'm temporarily out of the RFD business (doing my day job, far away overseas), but if and when I get back, I think this is the way I will go. There are normally about four or five RFDs in my "group", so it would make sense to use our own marquee - there are enough of us to provide 24hr security. We already camp in the NRA marquee when it is used for the HBSA arms fair, so weapons security solutions are already sorted out.

Last time I tried to push this, I was told that only a limited number of external tents (pitches paid to the NRA) were allowed, through agreement between Bisley Hotel and the NRA - i.e. there was an attempt to stop people migrating to NRA/tents.

Rearlugs wrote: Last time I tried to push this, I was told that only a limited number of external tents (pitches paid to the NRA) were allowed, through agreement between Bisley Hotel and the NRA - i.e. there was an attempt to stop people migrating to NRA/tents.

It would be interesting to know what is going on there, if anything. As I said in a previous post what would stop the NRA doing what the HBSA does at the Imperial by providing tentage, if they have thought of that as an option and if they have decided against for what reasons.

EagerNoSkill wrote:

Gaz wrote:Will anyone be selling the magical C2R we've heard such good things about? I'd like to buy a bit.

Yeah we will...

Bring your rifle .... I will give it a clean with the "3 Urine" formula

Tim / ENS

Torn between bringing my No.4, with its tired old wartime vintage barrel, or a TR with a good condition stainless pipe! Cheers - will see you on Saturday.