29.06.09. It saddened me to announce the cancellation of the remaining Bristol Book Fairs, particularly as they were by far the friendliest fairs I attended. But now the June dust has settled, what is the general view of the health of the UK's book fairs? Whilst there are quite a few stiff upper-lips about, I think that the general view is that it was not as bad as many feared and better than some expected. One thing is clear, and it is that for any fair to be successful nowadays both the organisers and exhibitors have to be committed to upping their game. Imaginative publicity coupled with better use of the internet, and of course, interesting fresh stock, still seem to be attracting customers who are willing to spend.   Add a comment

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UK book fairs range from the splendour of the ABA's London June fair and the size of the PBFA's York fair in September, to the more sober (but often rewarding) monthly fairs. Some of these are very small indeed, made up of perhaps a dozen or so dealers in a church hall. However, their very diversity is part of their charm and there is always the prospect of a bargain.

Book fairs flourished during the 1980's and 90's. This expansion was often at the expense of bookshops as dealers reduced their costs and took their books on the road. It also had the effect of denuding many provincial shops of their better books as these were swept up in the rising tide of book fairs. See Drif on 'Bookfairies'.

Times have been hard for many of the smaller regional book fairs of late, but a number have recently been revived, and we have even added a handful of new ones this year. But what is the future for book fairs, and how well are they serving their customers in the 21st Century? We are always keen to receive your comments and suggestions.

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