Changing of the Guard at Cirencester
David Borrett
The weekly Antiques and Collectables Market in Cirencester''s historic Corn Hall has been a regular Friday feature in the Cotswold town for more than four decades. Over the course of the last 22 years the popular fair has been managed by Brian Weston, himself a dealer and long-standing trader in the Corn Hall.
At the end of April this year Brian finally retired, handing over the reins to fellow-dealer David Borrett. Brian and his wife Babs will continue to attend the market at least once a month, maintaining a presence as long-established coin dealers. “The Cirencester market is one of the best weekly fairs outside London,” insisted Brian in his parting speech.
“That is a credit to the regular traders and the high quality of their stock, and long may it continue. I believe David Borrett will uphold the best interests of the stallholders as well as work towards maintaining the high standard of the fair.”
“Brian will be a very hard act to follow,” admitted David. “He ran a very tight ship and he managed the fair very efficiently, and the systems he introduced work remarkably well. The long-standing success of the fair is all down to Brian’s hard work and dedication.”
David has been trading in the Corn Hall since 1985, and began assisting with the running of the fair about 12 months ago. “My interest in antiques began when I was about 11 or 12. It was totally instinctive – there’s no history of antique collecting, or trading, in my family. I’m just an antiques addict! At first it was just a case of spending my pocket money and buying whatever took my fancy, but the dealing instinct was always there. I started with coins but my interests expanded over the years, until I turned to dealing in 1978. I was still a teenager.”
The market currently has space for about 46 pitches, with all the available tables filled by permanent traders. Inevitably there are occasional vacancies, as the regulars take time out for holidays, illness or commitments elsewhere, but there is always a lengthy list of casuals eager to fill any vacant plots. However, the Corn Hall is currently central to a redevelopment programme that will soon see the opening of the refurbished Kings Head Hotel, an associated café and new toilet facilities. The extended floor plan will also include space for perhaps 8 or 10 additional antiques traders.
“This will be an exciting period for the Antiques and Collectables Market, as the fair expands to fill the new amenities,” said David Borrett. “We look forward to being able to offer additional permanent positions in the very near future, and raising the profile of the Friday fair yet further. It’s an excellent event already, but soon it will be bigger - and better!”
Cirencester Antiques and Collectables Market, The Corn Hall.
Every Friday, 08:00 – 15:00 Easy parking nearby
Posted: 20/06/2014 15:08:17
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