As ever, the aim of National Antiques Day remains to publicise the fact that dealers offer the best value to buyers in the world of antiques.

If every dealer in Britain participated wholeheartedly, National Antiques Day could achieve publicity worth more than the combined multi-million pound marketing machines of all the international auction houses.

Many dealers and fair organisers throughout the country at all levels of the trade have already contributed in recent years to the success of this occasion.

The event is supported by the British Antique Dealers' Association and LAPADA, The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers as well as independent shops, galleries, centres and individual exhibitors at one-day fairs. There have been encouraging results.

It costs nothing to participate!

Free publicity posters can be downloaded from the internet where this website offers free listings to anyone doing something special on the day.

Some of the simplest ideas to encourage new customers and stimulate sales have been amongst the best.
The following promotions on National Antiques Day have proved successful for dealers and fair organisers in previous years.

Here are some examples: Dealers take an advertisement in the local newspaper with the headline "Enjoy a glass of wine out of an antique glass" inviting anyone who has never been into an antique shop to visit on the day.

Or advertise Buy something old - a selling exhibition based on current stock, opening on National Antiques Day and continuing over the weekend or longer.

Catching the eye with balloons tied to the shop front from first thing in the morning, the earlier the better is guaranteed to cheer up passers-by and provide a talking-point throughout the day. Standing by the door to extend a warm welcome to those curious enough to stop by and look in the window to see what is happening has proved to be well worthwhile.

Fair organisers use National Antiques Day to publicise forthcoming events.

Dealers arrange an Antiques Phone-In on the local radio station. Listeners call with questions about the antiques world and there are one or two local dealers in the studio to answer them.

Joining with other dealers in the same town or at the same fair can increase the impact.

Simply asking someone looking at stock "Have you heard about National Antiques Day" is an ideal way to start a conversation with a potential customer.
Coverage of National Antiques Day on radio and television and in newspapers and magazines has exceeded expectations every year.

Remember National Antiques Day is all about introducing newcomers to antiques and people finding something old and interesting as dealers extend their autumn selling season.

Advance publicity with a poster in the window or on a stall or stand at a fair extends the impact of the opportunity to encourage more and more people to buy from dealers.