Phoenix 2013

[Dougan]

I didn't realise that the Pavilion was independent of the NRA either - Also, from some of the comments here, I also don't understand all of the BS politics that goes on too...which makes discussing possible common sense solutions difficult :cool2:

If the Pavilion is charging 700 quid for 4 tables, then their revenue for the weekend goes into 5 figures - A lot of money yes, but I'm sure the old building isn't cheap to maintain either - However, while I wouldn't begrudge anyone making a profit (that's what business is about), it is incredibly short sighted to make it at the expense of the traders...

I'd also like to see more independent tents (the more the merrier) - however the Pavilion is always going to be the central focus, and costs to the traders will reflect this...so why isn't there more smart collaboration between the Pavilion and the NRA, to maybe subsidise some of the trader's costs...

...I still think that an entry fee at the gate for non-competitors (competitors can show their squadding sheet) could raise some revenue - I know of 4 people in my club that think it's worth the £20+ in fuel to go and just have a look around - Then that money could be used to subsidise (it could possibly half the cost) table and pitch fees - It would make sense, as if folk have come solely for the trade fair, then it is the traders who brought them there, and the bigger the event the more people will visit...

So, 2 questions - 1. Does anyone know how many visitors the event gets? And 2. How much would you as a non-competitor be prepared to pay at the gate (£2, £3...£5?), or would it put you off going?

[bnz41]

Sorry but why should'nt the competitors pay to visit the show (Arms Fair) if they start charging an entry fee. These are two seperate things going on at the same time, NRA runs the shooting/competitions, the Pavillion running the arms fair. If they did collaborate I'm sure then everyone would have pay to get in the show.
I would only pay if everyone paid.

[Sim G]

They start charging to get in and double the dealers costs to exhibit, just watch the Phoenix burn out!

Have these people forgot why the Phoenix rose? Because gallery rifle replaced pistol shooting and in the pistol days we were used to the "HUGE" days of pistol AD....

Tables in the Pavilion..... there were marquees on the lawn, stuffed to the gunnels with traders and there wares! Blokes saved all year to splurge on bargains! Likewise, it's for the traders to step up as well! Stop trying to recover all the costs on one tired out old milsurp or require a mortgage for a tactical/practical/zombie killer! (I did look at a rifle last year with a dealer and hummed and hahed because it was a pretty penny. I came away with his business card. Couple of days later, checked his site to see he'd put 400 quid on it to take it to Bisley....!!)

[mag41uk]

I have a 3m x 3m easy up Gazebo and can provide my own table and sleep in it over night.
How much do I get charged for the three days?
And do I have a say where it can be sited?
I remember in pistol days there being a chap who had a table next to the bogs down at Jenny`s selling powder,brass,primers and bullet`s.
And regarding security now Bisley has a "guard" is that not enough?
Tony

[Christel]

I have a 3m x 3m easy up Gazebo and can provide my own table and sleep in it over night.
How much do I get charged for the three days?
And do I have a say where it can be sited?
I remember in pistol days there being a chap who had a table next to the bogs down at Jenny`s selling powder,brass,primers and bullet`s.
And regarding security now Bisley has a "guard" is that not enough?
Tony

Three days will cost you £144 inc VAT if you book it through Amanda at the NRA. You can book per day if you wish. A table if you need an extra one will cost you £5 per table for the three days. You will very likely be sited across the road in front of the tent in front of the Pavilion next to the NRA range office building (if that makes sense)
You can sleep in your tent/gazebo/shelter and bring your dog/kids if you want.

[mag41uk]

I have a 3m x 3m easy up Gazebo and can provide my own table and sleep in it over night.
How much do I get charged for the three days?
And do I have a say where it can be sited?
I remember in pistol days there being a chap who had a table next to the bogs down at Jenny`s selling powder,brass,primers and bullet`s.
And regarding security now Bisley has a "guard" is that not enough?
Tony

Three days will cost you £144 inc VAT if you book it through Amanda at the NRA. You can book per day if you wish. A table if you need an extra one will cost you £5 per table for the three days. You will very likely be sited across the road in front of the tent in front of the Pavilion next to the NRA range office building (if that makes sense)
You can sleep in your tent/gazebo/shelter and bring your dog/kids if you want.

Thanks Christel.
Might think about this for the Trafalgar, I really do need to thin out my "collection" !
BTW Thanks for the "special" membership card!
Tony

[Christel]

BTW Thanks for the "special" membership card!
Tony

You are most welcome, use it wisely tongueout

[Chapuis]

There have been several suggestions about charging to enter the site or the "show" both have been tried before and both have resulted in just turning people away from the event.

On one occasion some years ago my wife drove off camp to go to the Naffi just up the road and was accosted by some scruffy individual collecting parking fees on re-entering the camp. He wanted another £5 to enter the site yet we had already paid entry fees to the comps and camping fees for the weekend which were quite high in spite of the woefully dreadful facilities provided. Quite an argument ensued and she refused to pay and was eventually allowed to re-enter the site.
Now you are going to suggest that we have to pay to shop- no way.

No disrespect to the traders but the trade show is no longer the best, certainly nothing like in the days of the pistol meetings. If we were expected to pay to enter the pavilion for what's nothing more than a crowded bazaar in pretty grotty surroundings I for one would probably not be attending. What's really needed is a serious effort to make the trade fair similar to what it was in the good old days of the pistol meetings. How that can be achieved I don't know but making it more cost effective for the traders has to be a start.

[Dougan]

Sorry but why should'nt the competitors pay to visit the show (Arms Fair) if they start charging an entry fee. These are two seperate things going on at the same time, NRA runs the shooting/competitions, the Pavillion running the arms fair. If they did collaborate I'm sure then everyone would have pay to get in the show.
I would only pay if everyone paid.

Fair point - I only made the distinction as competitors have already made a contribution to Bisley in their entry fee, where as non-competitors are coming solely for the trade fair...

...that said, even I wasn't visiting the stalls (though most competitors will) I wouldn't complain about a 2 or 3 quid entry fee at the gate...

...as long as it was spent improving and promoting the whole event (shooting and trade fair) for the future.

[IainWR]

I walk round the show most years. I buy the odd bit. Charge to get in, forget it.