Once the organisers of the largest circuit of antiques and collectors’ fairs in the South West, the move means that DCAF will be reduced to one event for the time being.
“Despite our best efforts and the continued support of the exhibitors, the venue is simply too big now and the costs of renting the hall and its associated costs are too expensive for us,” said Val Dennis, managing director of DCAF.
“We will continue to run our fairs at the Matford Centre, also in Exeter and exhibitors who book both Westpoint and Exeter will still have the opportunity of trading at Exeter. We are also looking for another smaller venue where we can offer Westpoint standholders the opportunity of trading at a two-day quality antiques and collectors’ fair.”
Last August DCAF cancelled their Contrad Expo, earlier titled the Devon Collectors’ Festival, due to be launched at Westpoint, and also their 250-stand fair at the Royal Cornwall Showground which had run at the ground since 2004.
Val Dennis launched DCAF in 1987 with her father Ken Birch and husband Mike Dennis. Initially held at the old Devon County Showground with just 60 stands, it moved to Westpoint in 1990.
At its peak the fair attracted 500 exhibitors and the organisers were running six fairs a year.
