Traders set for Venue Cymru in hope of post-pandemic boost

Celebrating its 42nd year, the regional show for traders across North Wales and North West England to display tens of thousands of products takes place over three days from January 23-25 at Venue Cymru.

With over 500 tourist attractions and gift shops within a 30-mile radius of Llandudno, the show provides the opportunity for buyers and owners of tourist attractions, independent and multiple retailers, hotels, galleries and garden centres to stock up on the latest items.

Items in display at the 2019 Wales Spring Fair. Picture: Jamie Gilmour

The fair had to be cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic and the repurposing of Venue Cymru as a vaccination centre. But with the retail industry ready to fight back after the lasting effects on sales following the pandemic, the fair comes at a crucial time.

Wales Spring Fair event manager, Adrian La Trobe, said: “According to the Bank of England, UK households are sitting on more than £250 billion in unspent funds meaning that 2022 has the potential to be a great year for retailers with new and innovative products on offer.

"We are really looking forward to the 2022 show”.

The show offers fresh new ideas and innovative products from a wide variety of different exhibitors and it is a base for entrepreneurs to enter the Welsh giftware market. It is also an opportunity for design-led makers to take that first step into the world of trade shows, expanding their commercial business prospects.

Thousands of crafts and other gifts will be on sale.

Venue Cymru took over the hosting of the show in 2012 and it has since grown from strength to strength and attracts a wide range of exhibitors looking to showcase their current ranges. Whether already established names in Wales or if just beginning their journey into the very much desired Welsh market, many exhibitors are now respected stockists to the local area.

Exhibitor Ffred Ffransis, from Cadwyn, said: “The Wales Spring Fair is the one show that the craft and gift shop owners of the North attend.

“We’ve been exhibiting here for over 25 years and every single year has been a success in terms of introducing new items and gaining new customers”.

The show will be open to trade customers only from 9am to 5pm on Sunday, January 23, 9am to 5pm on Monday, January 24, and 9am to 4pm on Tuesday, January 25.

For more information visit the Wales Spring Fair website.