Bakewell Wool Gathering - end of an era

We're announcing a big change to one of our events. This year has pushed us to look at the status of Bakewell Wool Gathering and its future. As a result, we've decided that 2024 will be our final year in Bakewell. In 2025, it'll metamorphise into something different and exciting.

Why the change?

It's a bittersweet change. Bakewell Wool Gathering was our very first event back in 2013. Since then, it's grown in ways we could never have imagined. That's in both visitor numbers and exhibitor interest. Last year, it became clear we'd reached the limit for visitors we could safely accommodate. We also had over double the number of applications that we could offer space for. 

On top of that, we've faced venue issues. You can't run an event without a venue, and our home for many years is no longer available to us. We were increasingly struggling to get a date at the Agricultural Centre. Then this year, despite agreeing a date, our booking was cancelled. 

We found a new home for 2024, but that hasn't given us the extra space we'd have liked. And we wouldn't be able to confirm a date for 2025 until well into next year. Rather than face more uncertainty, we decided to be proactive. We looked at other potential venues in and around Bakewell. Sadly, there isn't anything local that fits our needs. So we cast our net a little wider.

A new home

We're excited to let you know that we've found a new home. It has plenty of parking, bright lighting, and on-site catering. It's also in a fantastic location, only 10 minutes from the M6, and within 40 miles of Bakewell. 

So in 2025, we'll be returning as...Stafford Wool Gathering! 

We'll be at Staffordshire County Showground on 18th and 19th October, in the Bingley Hall. This offers us tons of space for exhibitor stands, demonstrations, and exhibitions too. 

If we've turned down your application for lack of space in the past, this is your chance to try again. We'll also be able to offer much bigger stand sizes, if that suits you. You don't have to opt for a smaller size in the hope you're more likely to get accepted It will still be a curated show. 

We know visitors value a variety of stands, but don't want to get overwhelmed. So we'll be aiming for a good mixture of exhibitors, with a cap on the total number. 

We also have so much more space for visitors. It's space we intend to fill! We'll be doing plenty of marketing to make sure we get people through the doors. Our aim is to draw all the regular Bakewell visitors, and add to them. The location is perfect for that.

Applications

Applications are now open through the usual process. And in a change from the usual, there's no end date! We'll assess each application as it comes through. If we like your application and we have space, we'll come back to you and offer it. But please wait for us to finish dealing with Buxton Wool Gathering applications in early November.

Please be patient, as the speed we reply at will depend on how many applications we have. When we've reached capacity, we'll switch to a waiting list system. 

If you've already applied for Bakewell Wool Gathering 2024, we'll reach out to you directly. You don't need to apply again. We'll check you want to go ahead with your application, and if you want to change anything on it. 

Nothing changes for Buxton Wool Gathering 2025.

Costs

The price per square metre is £35.00. We have to hire tables and chairs, so there's a separate charge for those. Parking, lanyards, and WiFi are all included. 

You can camp on site, and there is a £10 fee for this, but this goes to the showground. You get 24 hour access to a toilet and shower block.

Summary

As we already mentioned, this is bittersweet for us. But we've chosen to make a commitment to the future. This makes sure we can put on an event in October and removes our yearly uncertainty. It also lets us grow and make improvements. We hope you'll join us!