The best place to start is on the Stall Application Process page. (Having checked the front page for the latest status) Read the instructions.

The Martinborough Fair is budgeted on there being two market days so site fees cover both Fair days and all applicants are expected to commit to both fairs.

The prices will depend on your setup and are listed in the general information page.

Normally, if a stallholder decides not to come to one fair or the other, they should let us know and we will try to fill the spare slot, and if we can, we will consider a refund, subject to administration cost retention policies in force at the time.

The Martinborough Fair normally operates over two days, but we have separated the days by one month.

This has the advantage of offering our stallholders and visitors a better chance of a successful day's business each year as it would be very unusual for both days to suffer from adverse weather or other limiting conditions.

As a result, we expect stallholders to commit to both Fair days on application.

If you are unable to make it on one or other of the scheduled days, you still apply and pay for both, but let us know in your application what your plans are.

It is not always easy to fill a single fair day, but we will try to get a replacement on your behalf and if we are successful, may consider refunding one day's site fees less an administration fee.

Yes you can. 

Multi-site applications can be achieved by making multiple separate stall applications and paying for each one separately.

Site sharing must be discussed with the Convener first.

Two food vendors will not normally be able to share a site due to food handling and licensing requirements.

Stall sites may be shared, but not sub-let.

The site cost may be shared, but for no more than a reasonable share of the established site fee.

All products intended to be on sale are to be listed on the application form, and the fact that the stall is to be shared noted in comments, but one person will take responsibility for application, payment and dealing with fair management regarding all aspects of the stall site and its use.

If you just can't make it one year, but fully intend to be back, let us know, and we can make sure the stallholder your site is allocated to knows it is a temporary placement.

Check the site front page for updates on that.

For a normal year (Feb/March fairs), returning stallholders' paid applications are processed first during the month applications open, with the expectation that they can return to their previous sites or be transferred if possible. 

At the end of the first month, all paid applications are then processed and any remaining sites allocated on a first come basis.

For those reasons, we can not know what sites are likely to be available until after the opening month.

We do try to place applicants according to their expressed preferences, but reserve the right to place stalls at our discretion.

You should be paid within 14 days of application. 

Normally, applications open 1st October and we allocate returning stallholders during that month.

After October, (December in 2022) all other applications are processed and will be allocated any sites not yet claimed by returning stallholders.

If you want to secure your site from last year, you need to have your application in and paid before the end of the first month.

If you don't get your application in before the end of the first month - don't be surprised if your site is given to somebody else - and they will have first dibs the following year.

Stall applications normally open on the 1st of October. (December for the 2023 market)

Getting your application in as soon after that as possible will help in stall allocations.

Normal operation:

Returning stallholders who apply and pay in the opening month will be processed first.  

From the following month on, all PAID applications are processed in a first-come first-served basis.

We insist on payment before processing because we have found it time-consuming chasing people for payment otherwise.

This way, if you don't pay, your application will not be considered and so we can be confident that stallholders we have allocated sites to have paid.

We insist on payment before processing because we have found it time-consuming chasing people for payment otherwise.

This way, if you don't pay, your application will not be considered and so we can be confident that stallholders we have allocated sites to have paid.

We are generally able to accommodate most applicants, so it will be unusual for your application to be turned down.

It will only be on grounds such as unsuitable product lines, incompatible site requirements (e.g. unusual power or size requirements) or previous misbehaviour, that an application will be declined.

Check the  stallholder guidelines for information on site restrictions.  If you satisfy all the criteria, you will probably be welcomed to the Fair.

Once we are approaching capacity, we will advertise the fact on this website and when full, we will still take applications from those who wish to be put on the waiting list.

If we are unable to accommodate you for any reason, your site application fees will be refunded in full.

 

Notes: Getting your application in as soon as applications open will help in stall allocations.

Returning stallholders who apply and pay in October will be processed during October.  

From the 1st of November on, all PAID applications are processed in a first-come first-served basis.

Refunds will be made at the discretion of the Convener based on the reason you are unable to make it to one or both of the Fair Days.  If the Convener is advised more than two weeks prior to the February Fair date, a refund is possible, although 25% of the claimed amount may be retained as an Administration fee.

No refunds will be given due to inclement weather or any other circumstances beyond our control.

Answer. 

The Martinborough Fair normally operates over two days, but we have separated the days by one month.

This has the advantage of offering our stallholders and visitors a better chance of a successful day's business each year as it would be very unusual for both days to suffer from adverse weather or other limiting conditions.

As a result, we expect stallholders to commit to both Fair days on application.

If you are unable to make it on one or other of the scheduled days, you still apply and pay for both, but let us know in your application what your plans are.

It is not always easy to fill a single fair day, but we will try to get a replacement on your behalf and if we are successful, may consider refunding one day's site fees less an administration fee.

Some stallholders camp in their caravan on the road around the square somewhere near their stall site on Friday night so they can make an early start to setting up. (Please don't camp in the grassed area of the square)

Booking of more formal accommodation needs to be arranged well ahead due to the popularity of the Fair.  Many late-comers find they can only find accommodation as far away as the Hutt Valley or Masterton.

There are 7 power supply boxes around the Fair for use by stallholders who have applied for power.

It is the responsibility of each power user to provide their own extension leads to connect to the power outlets and to ensure all cables and appliances are safe and have been tested and tagged.

All cables that are exposed to foot traffic must also be protected mechanically. Strips of gaffer tape will not be adequate.  Use carpet strips or purpose made cable covers that will withstand 50,000 feet standing on them and being kicked and pummeled by feet and wheels all day.

Oxford street and Cambridge Road

These two supply boxes are mounted on power poles.   You will need a small ladder to reach these outlets.

Leads run from these boxes must be protected by RCD units. Any cables exposed to foot traffic must also be physically protected. Gaffer tape is not enough. Lengths of carpet or purpose built cable covers must be used.

Mitre 10 Car park

Powered sites in the Mitre 10 car park can run leads in through the Mitre 10 roller doorway or from Pain and Kershaw. Use RCD protection for these supplies.

Memorial Square (under the trees)

Four power boxes are mounted on poles around the South-Western sides of the square. One opposite the Martinborough Hotel, one opposite the Mitre 10 car park, and two are mounted over the road from the Jellicoe Stree entrance. 

All these four power box outlets are already protected by RCD units back at the main supply panel. Users must still ensure all cables and equipment connected to these boxes are certified safe. 

Memorial square atrium

The main power distribution box in the middle of the square will have a few spare outlets for use by stallholders who have applied and paid. They are all protected by RCDs.

 

Yes, there are a limited number of stalls where electricity can be provided at a fee over and above the fee for the stall site.

Extension cords

All extension cords are the responsibility of the stallholder and must be adequately protected where crossing public areas. All electrical equipment used on your stall must be tested and tagged by an authorised tester.

Generators

Generators will only be allowed under special circumstances and with prior written approval.  If circumstances are deemed to warrant the use of a generator it will be required to meet stringent noise and emission standards and must be approved by Fair management BEFORE use.

Our traffic management plan as filed with Transit NZ calls for road closures between the hours of 8am and 4pm on Saturday, and the District Council allows us to use public reserve areas during the same times.

We are allowed some setup/tear-down time, so cars may use the roads while sites are being set up, typically from about 4am to 7:30am for set-up, and tear-down time from 4pm to around 5pm.

Roads around Martinbourough Square are open and may not be obstructed outside those times.

Once set up, the Fair runs from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm officially but we often have people “shopping” from 7:00 am onwards. 

Many stallholders start setting up in the small hours of the morning with the centre of Martinborough buzzing by 5:00 am. 

Your car/van/truck needs to be outside the road closure area by 7:30am so it's probably a good idea to aim at arriving in Martinborough no later than 6:00am to unload, get the car parked somewhere away from the stall areas and set up your stall ready for a busy day.

Sites are nominally 6x3 metres but there are sites at the end of a row, or street, or in open areas that could be used to accommodate a bigger vehicle.  But we need to know about it before-hand.  Sites are not flexible, they are pre-marked in grids and there is no leeway.

We also need to know about extractor positions so we don't place you next to a clothing stall with the resultant danger of claims being made against you for damage.

There are 7 power supply boxes around the Fair for use by stallholders who have applied for power.

It is the responsibility of each power user to provide their own extension leads to connect to the power outlets and to ensure all cables and appliances are safe and have been tested and tagged.

All cables that are exposed to foot traffic must also be protected mechanically. Strips of gaffer tape will not be adequate.  Use carpet strips or purpose made cable covers that will withstand 50,000 feet standing on them and being kicked and pummeled by feet and wheels all day.

Oxford street and Cambridge Road

These two supply boxes are mounted on power poles.   You will need a small ladder to reach these outlets.

Leads run from these boxes must be protected by RCD units. Any cables exposed to foot traffic must also be physically protected. Gaffer tape is not enough. Lengths of carpet or purpose built cable covers must be used.

Mitre 10 Car park

Powered sites in the Mitre 10 car park can run leads in through the Mitre 10 roller doorway or from Pain and Kershaw. Use RCD protection for these supplies.

Memorial Square (under the trees)

Four power boxes are mounted on poles around the South-Western sides of the square. One opposite the Martinborough Hotel, one opposite the Mitre 10 car park, and two are mounted over the road from the Jellicoe Stree entrance. 

All these four power box outlets are already protected by RCD units back at the main supply panel. Users must still ensure all cables and equipment connected to these boxes are certified safe. 

Memorial square atrium

The main power distribution box in the middle of the square will have a few spare outlets for use by stallholders who have applied and paid. They are all protected by RCDs.