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The fair, in its 52nd year, had been held at Hotel Ibis in Earl's Court but its August 24 fair was its last in west London.
The fair has secured a venue at the RAF Museum, Hendon for its spring and autumn events on March 21 and September 26.
Fair organiser John Wilson said: “The Earl’s Court venue was incredibly popular for weddings and business conferences and it was becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable dates. We had to hold it on the bank holiday this year which impacted numbers. The central London venue also had issues for parking and was effected by the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)… We took the decision to find a new venue earlier this year.”
He said RAF Hendon has parking for 300 cars and the space can hold up to 70 dealers across 140 tables.
He added: “This new venue has lots going for it.”
The March date is the day before the Kempton Vintage & Classic Arms Fair and Wilson said he hoped some exhibitors and collectors will visit both and stay in London over the weekend. For more information please visit the website http://www.antiquearmsfairsltd.co.uk/
Coinciding event
Separately, The Fifth Antique Arms Fair, incorporating the Park Lane Arms Fair, in Pillar Hall, London Olympia takes place this weekend (September 21) with 35 exhibitors. This fair will also include the Scientific Instrument Fair.
Organiser Tom Del Mar said: “We are looking forward to welcoming dealers from across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. As the only central London event in this field we are confident it will be an exciting day with the usual rich blend of objects from a broad geographic and historical range.”
He said the fair will also feature three tables dedicated to collecting societies: the Arms and Armour Society, the Historic Breech Loading Small Arms Society and the Scientific Instrument Society. For more information please visit the website www.antiquearmsfair.com
