Bolsover business fair to become monthly fixture as organisers hope event can give families and community fun day out

Following the success of the first Hillstown Business Fair in Bolsover last month, organisers Julie Birch and Louisa Chadburn scheduled another event to give local retailers, charities and crafts people the chance to shine again at a second fair on Sunday, August 8.

The event which started at 11.30am and finished at around 3pm was held outside again on Hillstown Sports Field and businesses and sellers were invited to book stalls to showcase their wears to the community.

Friends Julie and Louisa are set to make the business fair a monthly fixture for the town, after they were overwhelmed with positive feedback from the launch event and also hope the fair continues to provide families and the community with a fun day out that everyone can enjoy.

Around 45 businesses booked a stall at the fair on Sunday that also featured an ice cream van and a trampoline.

Julie explained why she was motivated along with her close friend to put the event on for a second time, with a third already planned for September 19 in Hillstown Village Hall or outside if weather permits.

“Despite the weather which was pretty hit and miss, everyone was in such high spirits and between us had such an amazing day”, the 45-year-old added.

"It was just a really good event that can only get better.

"It's fantastic because a lot of the people who are standing again [at the fair] have already got their business on Facebook, which is all well and good but a lot of people like to touch things and see things in person."

One of the stands at the fair over the weekend, Sprint Sports and Leisure loaned a gazebo to 15-year-old local girl Faith who is raising money for Ashgate Hospicecare, while Louisa brought her van and tarpaulin to fashion a make shift gazebo for a woman selling wax melts.

The mum of two said the monthly business fair is designed to bring the community together, with activities to entertain children, food vans selling hot dogs and burgers, along with kickboxing demonstrations which proved popular with youngsters at the first event on Sunday, July 11.

Julie is keen to continue hosting the fair along with Louisa, as they hope to improve Bolsover and what it has to offer.

She added: "We have the castle which is beautiful and brings a lot of people in but we don't have that much for younger people and for families.

"We don't have a leisure centre, we have to go to Clowne.

"There's that many things that happen in life and it brings you down, we're here for a good time not a long time and you don't know when your time is up so it's just nice to bring people together and see kids smiling and people being happy.

"We just get such a good feeling from doing what we're doing."

The pair have plans to host Halloween celebrations and Christmas parties for the community later in the year.

To book stall space at the fair contact Julie on 07795252726 or Louisa on 07818 559294.

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