The limited company was launched by Caroline Penman in 2008. In a letter to exhibitors she detailed the future of her six fairs and her two fellow directors, Ben Cooper and Barbara Bell, who were appointed in 2014.
Cooper Events, organiser of events such as Westonbirt, has taken over The Chester Antiques Fair, running in February and October.
The Burford Antiques Fair, which runs in July, will now be organised by Cooper and Stephanie Castell as their company Two C’s Fairs.
Penman will continue to run The Petersfield Antiques Fair (February and September) and the Chelsea Antiques Fair (March), under the banner of Penman Fairs with Bell’s assistance.
The next event to take place is Burford Antiques fair from July 27-28.
Penman has been organising antiques fairs since 1967, running fairs in 48 venues and launching the Ardingly and Shepton Mallet showground fairs (now run by IACF). The West London Antiques Fair (1976-2007), The 20th century Antiques Fair (1998-99) and Sussex Antiques & Art Fairs (1991-2017) are among the other fairs Penman has to her name.
In her message to exhibitors she said that she is still committed to her reduced schedule with Bell’s assistance, adding: “Once an organiser, always an organiser.”
Windsor fair cancelled
The company’s Windsor Antiques Fair was cancelled earlier this year, following its launch last summer.
An announcement on the website said: “Having presented full details to 2018 exhibitors, more than half of them declined to show in 2019 … after dealers’ and visitors’ enthusiastic anticipation for the 2018 fair, the actual event, though very enjoyable, proved a financial disappointment for many participants.”
