This year’s Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair which took place a couple of weeks ago will be the last. The Grosvenor House hotel has decided to pull the plug on its fair for financial reasons. This despite the fact that it recorded strong takings for nearly 100 dealers who had bought stands. Visitor numbers were up two per cent on last year to nearly 20,000 despite the event being hit by the Tube strike.
It is understood that the hotel, which established the fair and owned the name, believes it can get a more profitable return on the use of its central Great Room for dinners, balls and reception. While the Fair runs for just a week but another week is required either side to set up and dismantle the show. Costs have also risen because of increasing insurance premiums which would have required a rise in rental charges to dealers to break even.
Members of the British Antique Dealers' Association, who were closely involved in the event, are looking to find an alternative venue to mount a new fair. Simon Phillips, chairman of the fair, said: "It is a great disappointment to me that the fair has come to an end. I quite understand that it no longer makes financial sense to continue the fair. It has been a long and happy partnership but most great events have a lifespan and a diamond anniversary is a fitting point on which to end on a positive note."
