The newly self-funded Jesmond library hosted its first vintage fair last Sunday, opening its doors to 15 vendors. The event lasted for five hours and brought together Jesmondites of different ages – and those from beyond the area – interested in making a few vintage acquisitions.

The event proved to be a success and organiser Yve Ngoo hopes it will be hosted monthly by the library; for now, the next Jesmond Vintage Fair will take place on December 8th. “This is really for local people; we want to make it a community event,” Ngoo told JesmondLocal, adding that one of the fair’s purposes is to help the local economy.  Jesmond Library is not the only one benefiting from the money raised from the event, as a percentage of the income made from table sales and entry will go to the Syrian Appeal supported by Oxfam Jesmond.

JesmondLocal reported last summer that the library would close its doors due to funding cuts from the council, but it has now reopened and is sustained through funds raised by volunteers from supporters. The Vintage Fair may become a regular source of income, as Ngoo shared with us that for the next fair she will ask vendors to donate 5-10% of their sales to support the hosts.

The cheap prices for renting tables and stalls attracted many vintage sellers, as tables at fairs in the city centre can go up to £50. Sellers came not only from Newcastle: vintage lover Jodie, for example, came from Leeds for the event. After running her own vintage shop for a year, she decided to approach business differently, and now travels around England to sell at fairs and markets. She explained that “here you’ve got a target audience that comes to buy vintage wear, whereas with a shop you just rely on passers-by.”

Jesmond seems to be an increasingly popular place for such fairs, with students a supportive audience. Ngoo claims that it brings affordable vintage fashion to their doorstep and praises Jesmondites for being eco-friendly and interested in supporting the library.

With additional reporting by Eliza Fayer

For any vintage lovers interested in attending the next fair, visit the Jesmond Library Facebook page for more updates:  www.facebook.com/JesmondLibrary