About Us
We are a small team with a big passion for delivering the very best in antiques, vintage and retro events.
Headed up by the two Directors Helen & Alan Yourston and backed up by Julie and Debra in the Newark office.
Between us we have decades of experience in organising, exhibiting, buying from and promoting these events.
Our aim is to provide enjoyable, excellent trading experiences up and down the country, for both exhibitors and buyers.
Our Story so far:
Our Story so far:
Back to Basics Events Ltd (B2B Events) was formed in 2006, and featured just two fairs - the Malvern Antiques & Collectors Fair and the Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair. Both were (and remain!) very well known on the fair circuit and provided an excellent base from which B2B Events grew.
Run by Roger Sumner (now retired) and Helen Yourston
(previously Martin), (a dealer and exhibitor for nearly thirty years) 2007 saw the first addition - namely the Kinver Antiques & Collectors Fair (now organised by Roman Fairs).
The Edinburgh Antiques & Collectors Fair joined B2B Events - as did David Craig, recruited to assist north of the border in Scotland. David, is a well known face in Scotland, being a long term dealer he attends many auctions, and has regular stands at the Peterborough, Lincoln and Newark Fairs in England - he also ran his own fair in Edinburgh for a short while making him the perfect addition to the team.
Saw the acquisition of the Kent International Antiques & Collectors Fair at Detling, near Maidstone. This same year Alan Yourston joined the company as a Director. A well-known figure on the fairs circuit, Alan brought with him his ten years experience as Fairs Manager and Senior Fairs Manager for DMG Antiques Fairs and then with IACF. In addition before joining DMG, Alan had his own business running events such as the East Midlands Ideal Home Exhibition, taking his events experience beyond just the antiques circuit.
The Antiques & Vintage Bazaar, held at the old Bird’s Custard Factory in Birmingham was added to the portfolio.
After three successful years, the event at the Custard Factory closed and the Cranmore Park Antiques event (also in Birmingham) was added.
Helen & Alan are married, making B2B Events a real family affair! The final Cranmore event is held.
B2B Events are invited to host the ‘Antiques & Vintage Arcade’ at the Royal Horticultural Society Malvern Spring Festival. Held within the festival's premium shopping experience, top quality exhibitors are brought together for this for prestigious event. After a successful first outing, the event is added to the portfolio.
Our new website is live!
Covid hits. We, along with the rest of the country, are locked down until July 2020.
In July we are able to re-open, but only with all outdoor markets. Our first one takes place at Detling in July, followed by Malvern in August.
By the August Bank Holiday we are allowed to get back to inside and outside markets at these two venues with social distancing and covid measures in place.
Another local lockdown hits Detling in November with full lock down returning from Christmas 2020.
In July we are able to re-open, but only with all outdoor markets. Our first one takes place at Detling in July, followed by Malvern in August.
By the August Bank Holiday we are allowed to get back to inside and outside markets at these two venues with social distancing and covid measures in place.
Another local lockdown hits Detling in November with full lock down returning from Christmas 2020.
We re-open with inside and outside markets at Detling in April and a re-scheduled Malvern Market at the end of the same month.
We continue with our calendar at both venues with Covid restrictions still in place.
March 2021 - The Edinburgh Fair closes due to the increased costs of running the event.
We continue with our calendar at both venues with Covid restrictions still in place.
March 2021 - The Edinburgh Fair closes due to the increased costs of running the event.
The Country is getting back to normal. B2B Events are full steam ahead with their fairs at Delting and Malvern.
The fairs seem to be busier than ever with buyers and exhibitors.
After 13 years of running the Detling Antiques, Vintage & Collectors Fair we hand over to Donny & Angela Mann of
Love Fairs.