But there were some individual success stories, with Yorkshire oak specialist Mauleverer Antiques virtually selling out and Yorkshire Victorian furniture dealer Chris Donne having one of his best ever fairs.
Local porcelain specialists John Newton and Brian Bowden both had very good fairs and noted Sussex silver dealer Nicholas Shaw enjoyed satisfactory sales.
Mr Bailey, as usual, advertised his fair well and worked hard. But some of his exhibitors felt much of the pep had gone out of this event and perhaps he ought to be looking for an alternative venue to the Harrogate Pavilions.
Harrogate – a rethink on the cards?
WITH an exhibitor list well down on last year, Essex organiser Robert Bailey’s 53rd Northern Antiques Fair at Harrogate from September 17 to 21 did not enjoy a vintage staging, with a number of exhibitors expressing disappointment at the attendance and general level of business.