Why We Charge What We Charge — A Transparent Look Behind Be Events Craft Markets

Let’s be honest — talking about money isn’t always the most exciting part of running craft markets. But at Be Events, we believe in being completely open about where your stall fees go and why they’re set the way they are.

Because we’re not a faceless company — we’re passionate organisers who love creativity, connection, and supporting local makers across Sussex and West Sussex. 💛

So, grab a cuppa and let’s lift the lid on what really goes into running a Be Events craft market, and how we do everything we can to keep our prices fair, accessible, and sustainable.

Venue Hire: Our Biggest Expense

The venue is one of our largest costs — and it’s also one of the most important. We want every Be Events craft market to take place in a space that feels welcoming, easy to access, and full of potential customers ready to explore your work.

Depending on the size, location, and facilities, the venue hire of venues we have used in 2025 alone range from £300 to £2,500 per event. (Yep that’s why each event has wildly differing prices)

Smaller village halls and community centres sit at the lower end of that scale, while large, and where possibpe centrally located venues — with potential of better footfall and often better amenities — naturally cost much more.

We always do our best to secure great locations at the best possible rates, but we’ll never compromise on quality, safety, or accessibility just to cut costs.

Insurance: Protecting Everyone

Insurance might not be the most glamorous part of market planning, but it’s essential.

At Be Events, we cover event insurance, and occasionally additional venue cover. These policies protect you, your customers, and even the venue, ensuring that every event runs safely and professionally.

It’s one of those background costs that quietly keeps everything running smoothly — but it’s absolutely vital and often expensive.

Advertising & Marketing: Getting You Seen

You can have the most beautiful products in the world — but if no one knows about the event, you won’t get the footfall you deserve!

That’s why Be Events invests heavily in multi-level advertising for every market. We use:

• Targeted paid social media campaigns on Facebook, Instagram

• Listings in local magazines and newspapers

• Paid event listings and online directories

• Posters, flyers, and banners across Sussex and West Sussex

• And, of course, strong SEO — so that when people search “craft markets in Sussex” or “West Sussex craft fairs,” they find you through Be Events

Advertising effectively is extremely costly, but it’s one of the main reasons our many hear of our events. Every penny we spend here helps bring more customers to your stall.

The Practical Bits: Behind-the-Scenes Essentials

There’s also a lot of logistical work (and cost) involved in making each market run smoothly. We handle:

• Table and layout planning

• Event staff and setup teams

• Licences, permits, and sometimes security

• Website hosting, booking systems, and payment processing

All of these details ensure that when you arrive on the day, everything is ready — so you can focus on showcasing your amazing products and connecting with shoppers.

How We Set Our Stall Prices

When we set stall prices, we base our calculations on 80–90% capacity, not a sell-out.

This means that even if we don’t fill every stall, the market can still go ahead without compromising on quality, insurance, or advertising.

It’s a more cautious, fair approach that helps us keep our prices stable while making sure events remain sustainable for everyone involved.

The Honest Truth: Profit Is Rare

Here’s the real, transparent truth — Be Events rarely makes a profit from our markets.

Only when every single stall is booked — when we reach 100% capacity — do we make a little money ourselves.

But that’s never been our main goal. Our priority is supporting local makers, maintaining high-quality venues, investing in marketing, and keeping stall prices as accessible as possible within reasonable costs.

We’d much rather see a thriving community of happy stallholders and visitors than chase high margins.

Why We’re Proud to Be Transparent

When you book with Be Events, you’re not just paying for a stall — you’re helping to create a whole experience. Your stall fee contributes to:

✨ Great venues across Sussex and West Sussex

✨ Full insurance and professional safety measures

✨ Strong marketing and advertising

✨ A smooth, well-organised event

✨ And a supportive creative community

We’ll always be open about how and why we price things the way we do. Because at Be Events, honesty, fairness, and community come first.

Join a Be Events Craft Market in Sussex or West Sussex

If you’re a local maker, crafter, or small business looking for a friendly, well-run market to showcase your work, we’d love to have you join us.

You can find all our upcoming Be Events craft markets — along with booking details — on our events page.

Let’s keep championing local creativity, supporting small businesses, and building something special together — one market at a time. 💛