Vendors and Stalls

Vendors and Stalls

The over-arching theme of the Vessels Festival is Lowestoft's relationship with the sea.

Do you want to set up a stall for the Vessels Festival? Stalls at the Vessels Festival are curated, which means that this is not a car boot sale and not everyone will get a spot.

The criteria for the Festival is all about attracting festival GOERS, not festival sellers, so every stall will need to enhance the overall marketing theme of the festival and not detract from other stall holders, displays and events. By “not detracting” we don’t mean “not competing”. There could well be more than one stall that sells the same thing you as do. What we want is a balance and a variety of offers and every stall should be of a high standard. We want the overall look of the festival to be fun, inspiring, and offer something that is worth traveling to Lowestoft to see. As a stall holder you’re a part of the entertainment and ambiance, so from the Vessels Festival point of view, you’re as important as any display or event.

By being part of an elite group, you will be much more likely to make good money.

This means that stall holders will need to comply with a level of quality and professionalism as well as enhance the maritime theme of the festival.

First Time Trader Tips

Here are some trader tips that will help you get chosen. Don't miss out!

Promote the Theme

The theme of the Vessels Festival is Lowestoft, Sails, Sea and Soul. Do you have a seaside or martime hook? A maritime heritage hook? An arts and the sea hook? Can you adjust your stock to emphasise our theme? Let’s say you sell donuts. Could you sell a donut with caramel and SEA salt? If you sell hats, could you decorate the stall to a sea theme and sell some fishermen hats? Use your imagination to create a bespoke offer that follows the theme.

And it’s not just WHAT you sell, but how you sell it. Can you decorate your stall to reflect the theme of the festival? Can you dress up as a fisherman or mermaid? If you are planning on pulling up a bog-standard hamburger van, you could well be disappointed and not get a spot. Use your imagination and think about how you can decorate your van to reflect our theme. Remember, attracting people to your stall by good marking and decoration will bring more sales and make you stand out from the crowd.

Quality and Quantity

If we are going to choose between two stalls that offer the same item, we will go for professionalism of the display and the quality of the item. It’s as simple as that. You might want to consider going in partnership just for this festival with one or two other crafts people to make a more professional and full display. This will not be a place to set up a card table and put out a few jam jars. We will expect high quality items and stalls that will have enough food or wares to last the entire festival. The customers that come during the last few hours of the festival should have the same experience as those who came early in the day.

We're Green and Blue!

Vessels Festival promotes Lowestoft and the Sea. We promote sustainable, earth-friendly, climate-aware initiatives. Lowestoft is part of a climate crisis aware town, district and county council. What does this mean to you? It means that EVERY booth, stall, event and demonstration will endeavor to be as climate aware as possible and Vessels Festival will select stall holders who follow a climate friendly ethos. If you sell food, that means all customer products will be sold in recyclable containers and offer no end-use plastics (for instance, use recycled paper bowls instead of stryrofoam clamshells). No plastic bottles, forks, straws, etc. will be permitted. Use transportable solar lighting, advertising recycled and repurposed items, and think about how you can be earth friendly in everything you do and sell.

General Housekeeping

Stall fees

The Vessels Festival is going to promote and advertise widely and we do expect a good number of people to come to Lowestoft and watch the Smack Race as well as the many arts, heritage, and maritime displays and events.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR STALLS IN 2022.

Yes, you heard that right, there is no charge for stalls. Because of the disruptions that small traders have suffered over the last two years, we've decided that the best way to promote the best of Kirkley, Lowestoft and Suffolk, is to provide the space for free this year. You cannot just show up on the day, you need to register and be approved. Email to centenary@excelsiortrust.co.uk for more information and to register your stall.

Insurance and licenses

You and each individual (in a shared stall arrangement) are going to need Public Liability Insurance in order to trade at the Festival. Any food items sold will need to meet all health standards and licensing. The Festival reserves the right to exceed national and local standards. Please see the stall holder’s contract for more details.

Other forms & procedures

Some stall holders will also need to fill in a brief risk assessment form in order to trade at the Festival.

PAT

Electrical items must be PAT tested and certified as safe for use.

Power

Electricity availability for a stall and the use of generators on Festival locations will be managed on an individual basis. There is no guarantee of water or electricity at any location.

Your physical stall

You will need a gazebo/marquee/big tent or something for you to reside in for the weekend. This will need to be strong, waterproofed and tied down VERY well. Regular garden gazebos can take off in strong wind and that would be a disaster for everyone. We're on a WINDY site! Buy or borrow the best you can possibly afford and be prepared to bring weights, stakes, etc. to make sure everything is securely tied down.

Security of the stall

It’s best to find one with zip up sides or you can assume that you will need to secure your items in a lorry or van. Unattended and overnight security of the stalls is not the Festival’s responsibility!

Table, chairs and displays

Please refer to the Vendor Agreement for more details, but suffice to say that tables and chairs will not be provided and any displays will need to be sturdy enough to hold up your merchandise, able to be leaned on by customers and able to withstand wind. We don’t want bookcases and merchandise displays falling over on people!

Lighting

No lighting will be provided. If you need lighting, it is suggested stall holders look at battery powered LEDs, which are both safe and environmentally friendly.

Trading hours

Exact hours will be determined later, but stalls typically open to the public around 10am and close around 5pm, if the races all start on time and the weather if good. Exact closing time will be determined by the race schedule and local licensing, but no stalls will be open past 8pm.

Music and PA

Private stall music and PA or busking will not be allowed so that they do not interfer with the performances on the stage.