14/08/2026
Well, I've learned something this week.
Apparently, the secret to running a successful Artisan Market is not years of experience, careful trader selection, balancing categories, managing waiting lists, attracting visitors, dealing with weather, complaints, cancellations and the occasional gazebo trying to achieve low earth orbit.
No.
The secret, it turns out, is to simply say yes to everyone.
What a fool I've been.
You see, all these years I've been under the impression that having too many traders selling exactly the same thing was a bad idea.
Silly me.
Clearly visitors dream of arriving at a market and saying:
"Ooh look Margaret, 37 jewellery stalls. Just what we came for."
"Shall we look at the next one?"
"No need. It's exactly the same as the last 36."
Then after three hours of looking at silver-plated dragonflies, moon pendants and earrings made from bits of old teaspoons, they can head home having experienced the full diversity of artisan retail.
Meanwhile the candle makers are wondering why there's another candle stall.
The bakers are wondering why there's another baker.
The wax melt sellers are wondering why there's another wax melt seller.
And the poor bloke selling handcrafted wooden badgers is sat there wondering why nobody can find him behind the wall of jewellery displays.
But apparently I'm doing it wrong.
Apparently if a space becomes available, I should immediately abandon all common sense and fill it with whatever category happens to be asking.
Never mind the traders already booked.
Never mind the market balance.
Never mind the customer experience.
Just get the pitch fee in and worry about the consequences later.
Now here's the awkward bit.
I actually quite like the traders who already support our events.
I know. Radical thinking.
So when I tell someone I don't have room for more jewellery, it's not because I dislike jewellery.
It's because I already have jewellery.
Quite a lot of jewellery.
In fact, I have so much jewellery that if I add any more, White Rose will probably start appearing on Google Maps as a branch of H. Samuel.
So yes, I occasionally say no.
Not because I enjoy it.
Not because I'm trying to be difficult.
But because if every spare space was filled with the same thing, you'd all be moaning at me six months later asking why the market has become rubbish.
Funny old world.
Anyway, if anyone needs me, I'll be busy making the shocking and controversial decision to have different things at an Artisan Market.
I know.
Absolute madness.
Mr Grumpy 🙄
