Well, we made it through another year and, as always, I am so grateful for your continued support of the best antiques market in the UK.
You will obviously have seen some changes, updates and general goings on at the market, so I wanted to keep you up to speed and announce a couple of things.
75th Anniversary
Whilst the original market moved south of the river in 1947, the antique trading can be traced to formally starting in 1950, so 2025 is our 75th anniversary. I want to use this as a way to increase the exposure of the market, bringing us more stallholders and buyers alike
I am working on some marketing and promotional activities across the year and your support in spreading the word is essential.
Marquees
With the support of the Bermondsey Square Community Fund we have obtained seven pop up marquees. These not only make the market look 100 times better but also dramatically increases stallholder (and visitor) safety. As they are separate from the tables, whilst gusts of wind may affect them, tables should not really be affected. As we endeavour to grow stallholder numbers, this is the first investment in marquees and we hope to be buying more as stallholders return.
Please remember that you cannot hang or attach anything to the gazebo frames.
We will still be using the standard stall setup on some areas to accommodate layouts and more stallholders and if, for the moment, you would prefer to use the old setup, please let us know (but it might mean we have to move your position).
Promoting The Market
Whilst I try to give us exposure via advertising, promoting at Newmarket, social media and local community websites, I do need your help to spread the word.
- Please take some leaflets and put them on your stall at other events/markets
- Keep some of the Google testimonial cards on your table and hand them out to your buyers – testimonials are a very powerful way of increasing awareness
- Post about Bermondsey on your social media – comments, photos etc all can make a difference
- Follow Bermondsey on Facebook & Instagram. Note: I never had access to the old FB page and Mike recently took it down, so we are now starting from scratch!
We have updated our fence banner and try to leave it out permanently on Tower Bridge Road and we also trying to illuminate the official road sign on TBR to make it more visible.
We are also looking at advertising wider than previously, however, the choice of deicated/industry publications is getting smaller – any suggestions you may have would be appreciated.
Inside Floor
When the weather gets better it will allow us to re-pour/set the floor and we will complete the task of making inside more level and safer. We are also in discussion to get the entrance floorplate fixed/replaced, reducing the trip hazard.
Toilets
After almost a year of responsibility being bounced around between the council, Bermondsey Square management and the hotel, we have been assured that the toilets will be refurbished in the next few weeks. Thanks for baring with us and I am sorry that you have had to endure the cold water and other issues.
The Bad News
I have avoided this since taking the market over, but I now have to increase the base table prices by £5, both inside and out. I do not need to tell you that costs generally are increasing in all areas and I can’t continue to support the market at a break-even/loss level.
The new rates are:
- Outside
- Table – £30 (was £25)
- 2nd table – £15
- 3rd+ tables – £10
- Inside
- Table – £45 (was £40)
- 2nd table – £25
This increase will come into effect from 31st January.
We all know that, even at £30/45 for a table, Bermondsey still offers great value and with the ongoing investment in marketing, exposure, marquees etc should bring us all greater rewards in this anniversary year.
Please remember that you cannot share stalls i.e. 2 people on 1 table or 2 people on a discounted/double setup.
Again, thanks for your support and to all of our success in 2025.
Paul