The Oracle, Reading.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Ok...I've never been to Reading, but we've been asked to organise a craft fair in this shopping centre (The Oracle) at the last minute.

It's to last a few days in November or December and they are looking for approximately 15 tables.
I still need to finalise details, but wanted to know more about the venue before I committed myself.

Does anyone know it? What kind of shops are there?

Is it perhaps too late to get crafters?

Also, for three days plus late night shopping evening we're looking at £150, or £50 per day on the normal days, £70 for all day on the Thursday late night shopping day.

Jules

[Debeadz]

It looks like a popular shopping mall!

http://www.theoracle.com/website/

I don't think its too late to get crafters. I only signed up for one last week for December :)

[candles by lisa]

Sorry I have no idea Jules but I read that more like the oracle reading - thought mmmhh that might be interesting what did the oracle have to say!!


Hehe.

Lisa

:p

[Snow angel]

I think it gets very busy there so should do very well

[Apple Tree Crafts]

I've googled this mall and it looks great. I seriously want to do this but I've got concerns....all input from everyone out there would be great.

The dates cover three days plus late night opening on one night. Will crafters be available during the week? Most on our books still have the day job....

Hopefully I'll get up to reading next Mon or Tues and do a site recce and put my concerns to the events co-ordinator.....


......Watch this space!

Jules

[Seahorse]

I live right near Reading and went to the Oracle a couple of weeks back.
Yes it is very nice, Cant say i ca recall what its like around Christmas other than jam packed.

I think Thursday is late night shopping.

[Seahorse]

Forgot to say what shops are there.
Gap, Topshop, Dorothy perkins Boots, H&M,New Look and more on top floor.
Bottom floor HMV, House of Fraser(top and bottom)and another big shop at opposite end, Morgan, loadsa shoe shops etc

[Apple Tree Crafts]

....This does NOT want to be outside the shopping centre. No. Absolutely not. Three days and and evening in the freezing cold and dark. Call me negative, but there are limits to my endurance.:nopity:

Otherwise, posh shops and the indoor warmth, jam packed with peoples prepared to spend sounds good to me.....;)

Jules

[Seahorse]

Ive never seen stalls outside, only inside, usually the H&M end.

[Hopej]

I live near the Oracle and have been there a few times.

It is absolutely heaving at christmas and at weekends, it took me nearly an hour to get to my house to the shops once (I live 15minutes away!!), it is quite a new mall only been open about 8years and has all the big high street stores and two huge department stores (House of Fraser & Debenhams).

But overall it is a good mall, very up to date and from what I could see they are well covered with security etc

You are bound to get a great response if you have a fair there!

Hope this helps, pm me if you have any more questions

Sarah x

[Hopej]

Ive never seen stalls outside, only inside, usually the H&M end.

Yes your right Seahorse, I have never seen stalls outside either. They have a special section in the middle of the mall where they have stalls etc

[JBJB]

Why have they left it to the last minute tho?

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Guess what?

Yup...it's outside. On the Riverside area. I think this is the area, but not 100% sure.....I know it's going to be cold, but it still looks good.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/appletreecrafts/readingoracle.jpg

It was left so late because they were going to have an ice-rink, but for some reason they aren't now.

[Hopej]

Yeah that is the riverside area. Despite being outside in the cold, it would actually be a good spot, because the car park entrance is just by it and people have to walk over the bridge to get to the oracle so you would get a lot of people seeing you.

Plus all along the riverside is bars and resturants so it is always buzzing.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Yeah that is the riverside area. Despite being outside in the cold, it would actually be a good spot, because the car park entrance is just by it and people have to walk over the bridge to get to the oracle so you would get a lot of people seeing you.

Plus all along the riverside is bars and resturants so it is always buzzing.


Bars...and we've been promised mulled wine too...This sounds better by the minute.

We've fixed up a meeting on Nov 20th so I'll know the details then and will post them on here soonest.

Jules

[swirlyarts]

Oooooooh - that would be good!! I used to live near Reading and have been to the Oracle many times. It will be heaving near Christmas - people literally queue for an hour to get into the car park and hopej is right as it over the bridge from the car park. There are loads of restaurants and bars along that stretch of the river too. The mall advertises on local radio too so make sure you ask for them to mention you! I'll get my friend Jennie to pop along and buy things!!
Seahorse - you should do this one!

[MrSwirl]

Make sure that when you are advertising / describing it, that you tell people that it's at The Oracle. Oracle is a separate company, who have their UK headquarters in Reading but on the outskirts, on their own business park, and you don't want to get the two confused!

[swirlyarts]

Make sure that when you are advertising / describing it, that you tell people that it's at The Oracle. Oracle is a separate company, who have their UK headquarters in Reading but on the outskirts, on their own business park, and you don't want to get the two confused!

Good point Mr Swirl! Just remembered - there's also a cinema on the Riverside so you should get that passing traffic too.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Good point Mr Swirl! Just remembered - there's also a cinema on the Riverside so you should get that passing traffic too.

....Thankfully this isn't my job. It's all to be done for us. We just provide the crafters on this one.

As far as we've been told, the people who run the Mall are providing everything. If they aren't, I'm not touching the event. I don't expect my crafters to put up with adverse conditions and we learned a valuable lesson this summer at Taunton. From now on at these type of events the management does all the donkey work.

Jules

[woodtattoos]

I know the area well and that is going to be one helluva cold & exposed position out there!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend as it's a bit out of my price range at present and three day events are demanding when you have a day job.

Having said that, I might still be in the area on the day job in case any of you guys'n'gals have any problems... ;)

Take it steady!

Si.

[Seahorse]

Seahorse - you should do this one!

Maybe one day, when im brave.Il certainly visit, is it on over a weekend?

Yep, I reckon itl be cold but there will be loads of people passing through.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

The prices for this potential event have now been reduced to:

For all three days booked together £95 or
For Thursday 20th £45 (longer day, late night shopping)
For Friday 21st or Saturday 22nd £40 each.


The poor events team are absolutely desperate to get this up & running, so I'm trying to get the best deal possible and to get as much interest as I can. I'm just waiting for a phone call to discuss the details.

I really do think this could be a great venue, and very profitable!

Is anyone interested? I hate to let these people down, they really are up against it.

Watch this space for more details!

Jules

[caketopper]

Sorry I have no idea Jules but I read that more like the oracle reading - thought mmmhh that might be interesting what did the oracle have to say!!


Thats how I read it lol

[Seahorse]

Well done ATC, get as muuuch discount as you can.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Everyone,

Things have really changed on this event, so I've started a new thread about it to catch peoples' eyes.

Jules