We caught up with Robert Miller from Hemswell Antiques Centre, to find out more about their company and exhibiting at the British Tourism & Travel Show.
Tell us a bit about your organisation:
Hemswell Antique Centres opened its’ doors for the first time on the 24th May 1986 with just 150 dealers selling antiques and collectables from two buildings of the former RAF Airfield, Building 1 and Building 2. Building 3 arrived in 2005. Followed by The Guardroom in 2014 which was extensively redeveloped. To the delight of returning veterans in recent years, Hemswell is perhaps the only pre-war RAF Station converted to private use. It has retained its character and still has an unmistakable Royal Air Force feel to it. Located just a few miles from the historic City of Lincoln, Hemswell Antique Centres is renowned as the largest antiques centre in Europe.
With four buildings and two coffee shops on site, there are thousands of antiques and collectables to peruse at your leisure. The Centres house a sizeable variety of high-quality antique furniture from dining tables and chairs to bedroom suites and dressers. We have ceramics from early Staffordshire pottery, oriental porcelain and Victorian glass through to collectable C20th ceramics and glass. An excellent choice of decorative items, including oriental rugs, throws, curtains, scatter cushions, lamp shades, and tapestries are always available, and beautifully displayed.
We have dealers who sell superior quality silverware and jewellery or specialise in vintage kitchenware, railwayana, vintage toys and militaria. This generous selection is of interest to both the collector, trade buyer or just a reminder of bygone times. People rarely visit us just to window shop and never leave empty handed whether it be a gift card or an antique chandelier! People are often overwhelmed by their first visit with us and cannot believe how much there is to see. Just as well that we have two coffee shops onsite to rest weary feet and indulge in freshly made food and home baked cakes.
Tell us what your visitors can see on your stand:
We are popular with coach parties due to the size of our car park. Many tour operators like to stop off for a few hours. Motorhomes and caravans are welcome too. Just 10% of our items for sale at our centres are visible online. We have millions of items and a great team who upload these to our recently updated website. The introduction of our photography studio produces some amazing results for our website particularly jewellery.
Some of our more interesting items benefit from the 360degree video feature which really showcases them to our audience allowing them to view as if they were holding it in their hand. We operate a door-to-door delivery service via suitable methods depending on the purchase from our own vehicle or trusted outsourced mail services. For overseas trade buyers, interior designers and hotel owners we offer a personalised shopping experience combined with virtual tours.
Why is exhibiting at the British Tourism & Travel Show an unmissable opportunity for you?
This is something new for us as many exhibitions have been more for the antique trade audience. This is a fabulous opportunity to attract more tourism to Lincolnshire. Building awareness among tour operators, coach tour companies and introduce the centres as one of the great attractions Lincolnshire has offer.
Not only are we a stones’ throw from events that take place at the Lincolnshire Showground. Visitors can make a weekend of it. If a coach tour stops off and visitors enjoy what they see they will return at their leisure to see more and spend more time.
Meet the Hemswell Antique Centres team at the British Tourism & Travel Show on Stand A29.
Click here to get your free ticket.
