Scotland's Trade Fair Spring 2023

January 22nd to 24th 2023 saw The Shoal exhibit for the second time at the SEC in Glasgow at Scotland's Spring Fair.  Last year as a newcomer in the Launch Gallery we took on our first stockists in Scotland and won a Best Product Award, what would this year bring?

After an 8 hour drive up from bonny Lyme Regis on the Friday, dinner in the city centre, a couple of drinks at the famous pub the Pot Still and heading back to our comfortable apartment owned by the hostess with the mostest, we were perfectly rested for the Saturday build. 

Ten degrees and raining when we got to the SEC to load in, it was a lovely surprise to discover that the show has porters, lovely young lads who will carry your stuff to your stand, absolutely amazing and what a luxury. 

Having set up and met our mostly Scottish stand neighbours, we were tired so headed back to our apartment for a night in before the first day.

Sunday was busy for us, we saw some of our existing Scottish customers and met quite a few potential new ones.  Our beautiful ceramic fish were certainly catching people's eye. 

Having entered Best Product again, we were disappointed not to win something however our friend artist Fiona Mathieson won the Gold!  With that a plan was hatched to have a celebration at the Radisson Red rooftop bar at the end of the day.  Joined by Nick Field artist and his partner Mags we had a lovely time.  What a great community of small businesses and artists, a band of brothers and sisters!

Monday and Tuesday were similarly busy and we found potential new customers very considered about their decisions.  It was great to take new orders there and then.

Tuesday morning caught Pete by surprise when new friend from the 2022 show Ryan Oldfield an amazing furniture maker rocked up and presented him with a special laser-etched The Shoal chopping board.  Pete had a real tear in his eye and that was quickly followed by more emotion as Nick presented each of us with one of his hairy coo mugs.  Pete's one has some notable features on it...

Having taken an order from our Glasgow stockist at the show, we had enough stock with us to fulfil it so we planned to deliver it on our way out of Glasgow on the Wednesday morning, a great end to an excellent show.

Thanks to the organisers, Mark and the team at Springboard, our fellow traders and neighbours and the wonderful people of Glasgow who made us feel very welcome.  We cannot wait to come back!