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Welcome to todays diary entry! One Show Ends, Another Begins. There’s never really time to breathe in this line of work—especially at this time of year. The moment one show wraps up, we’re headfirst into the next phase: the pack down, the stock reconciliation, the return logistics, the reordering, and the reset. Today was no different. As the sun rose, I was already knee-deep in the aftermath of the North West Regional Meet—clearing the stand, folding tables, checking off items, and repacking the Luton van like a life-size game of Tetris.
Back at base, the van was returned to the hire company, and we immediately set to work on resetting the shop floor. It’s surprising just how much stuff comes back, even after a good weekend—demo awnings, leftover accessories, things you bring ‘just in case’ but never even unpack. The backroom looked like a jumble sale exploded. But bit by bit, it’s all starting to take shape again.
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What’s made the whole thing easier to swallow is the fact that the show was actually a pleasant surprise. I went into it with measured expectations—truth be told, I thought it might be a bit of a write-off. But the atmosphere was buzzing, the sales exceeded what we’d forecasted, and we managed to shift several long-stay demo awnings, which is a huge win. The team really pulled together. Watching Rory run wild with the girls, seeing the customers genuinely engaged, and feeling the buzz of a show that’s starting to hit its stride—it all left me with that rare feeling of pride and purpose.
It’s become clear to me now: the North West Regional Meet has the potential to be a cornerstone event for us. It feels like the true start of the summer trade circuit, the first notch in a long but rewarding seasonal run. And I’m already thinking about how we can go bigger and better next year—perhaps with a more streamlined stand, clearer signage, or even a couple of exclusive offers to draw people in.
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Next up, of course, is Club Fest. This one’s a biggie—not just in scale, but in significance. It’ll be our first time trading at the event, and after what felt like months of polite pestering and hopeful emails, I finally secured us a spot. I’ve got a lot riding on it—not financially, necessarily, but in terms of relationships and long-term positioning. If we make the right impression on the organisers (particularly the woman who oversees the trading area), we could be securing a place at Club Fest for years to come. And that’s the sort of consistency we really need.
Thankfully, this time, the logistics should be a bit less chaotic. Brunner and Cadac are supplying most of the stock directly to the site, so instead of another Luton van mission, I’ll only need to source and transport a few supplementary items. Compared to what we’ve just done, that feels like a walk in the park. Famous last words, I know—but I’ll take that optimism and run with it for now.
All in all, today’s been a mix of fatigue, reflection, and cautious anticipation. This is the grind we signed up for—and honestly, days like this remind me that we’re doing more than just selling awnings. We’re building something. A brand, a team, a season—and hopefully, a few traditions that’ll last.
☀️ Cofton Countdown: 14 Days to Go! ☀️
Twenty days and counting. We’ve ticked off another big show, the shop’s almost back in order, and we’re inching closer to that blissful week in Devon.
Cofton feels like our finish line. The place where all this effort, sweat, and elbow grease gets rewarded with still mornings, cold drinks, and family time. Rory will be back in the pool, we’ll be wandering around with flip-flops and no plan, and that first pint in the sunshine will feel like the whole world has exhaled.
We’re not there yet. But with 20 days to go, we can just about taste it.
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