21/11/2022
Hello all,
I will apologise in advance for the extensive message, there have been events that have happened over the last few weeks that need to be aired with both traders and general public and how the Market will be proceeding at the end of this year.
First and foremost 3rd December at Tesco Wisbech has been cancelled and no market will be running in anyway due to a food bank that has been bought in from Tesco head office. The Community Champion at Tesco Wisbech has informed me that as this is from Head office, there is nothing we can do and the decision lays outside of the Wisbech branch. I can only apologise for any inconvenience this will cause Traders and the General Public – unfortunately this means that we will not have a Christmas Market this year. Admittedly I have known that this maybe cancelled since 11th November however I have tried to preserve this booking but alas over the weekend it was confirmed that it was most definitely cancelled. Just to reiterate that there is no Market at Tesco on the 3rd December. Traders are not to attend site as there will be no market.
To all traders who have pre-paid for their spots on the 3rd December – please send over your bank details so I can sort the relevant refunds.
I am also aware that there have been some rumours circulating regarding the longevity of the Market and The Craft Market as a whole.
First and foremost, the Craft Market Network will no longer be operating out of the Tesco Wisbech Venue. We have had a long standing relationship with the venue and the numerous Community Champions in our time. We have donated over £5K to the Tesco Community Champions/Charities which has no doubt gone to great causes and helping the local community. It is the Community Champion’s Opinion that a change is require to the operation and format of the market and has thus found a new vendor to supply this market. I have not taken this decision lightly nor just accepted the lose of the venue where this all began, the last two weeks I have tried to arrange some form of compromise with the Venue and carry on the working relationship moving forward however the decision was made while I was on Holiday.
We have all contributed in some way to the success of The Craft Market at Tesco, Traders and Customers have come to think of it as a staple to their month and with Christmas just round the corner I know some Traders will now struggle with the lose of this event and events next year. An other reason why I have tried to keep this market here. I personally have no idea how this transition will affect traders and our followers however I do hope it is a smooth one.
Now, speaking from the heart I am personally gutted for this market to be ending so abruptly, I was approached 5 years ago by the community champion at the time, she had only four tables booked in, considered stopping the market, I offered to help and the first market went from 4 to 18 tables in the space of a week... the first was that popular we then arranged another the following week which was an equal success and before we knew it... The Craft Market was
born. Over the years we have built up a regular market through hard work and determination, not just by myself but plenty of Traders along the way have provided assistance in getting us out there for all of you to see.
A lot of people don’t quite understand how much planning and administration goes into organising such a market - the hours of constant vetting high quality traders (unfortunately not all proposals make the cut) ensuring table plans provide for related sales to happen. Liaising with venues to ensure all boxes are ticked and they’re happy with the traders we will have on the day, this all prior to even stepping foot on site - ensuring I am the first on site (usually when its dark and cold) to make sure the space is set up ready for us, marking out table positions and planning space accordingly, coordinating traders to their spot and dealing with unexpected issues that happen on the day. The days are always long and when every trader has then gone is then when my day ends - These markets have taken 5 years to get to this point and are not simply put together on a whim nor in 5 minutes. Months go into planning every market and that’s just my part - numerous traders have supported the group with shares on their Facebook and social media platforms. I have been doing this solely for the majority of this time and the help some Traders have given has been phenomenal and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those (Traders and Customers) who have supported this market for its duration in what ever capacity they have.
I have no idea who the new Market is being organised by, I am sure they will make themselves known in time.
This is certainly not the end of the Craft Market, I have some big plans just round the corner, but words can not really describe what it feels like to have now lost this venue - especially when this is where it all began. However... change is good, Stagnation is something I never wanted for the market so hopefully this new market co-ordinator can take it further then I would have ever been able.
The Craft Market has no intention of closing, however we may have a new face so definitely watch this space!
Again a massive thank you for the support I have had from traders and the general public over the last five years. If anyone has any questions please feel free to drop the page a message.
Sam
