This is our final tour: Carters Steam Fair is for sale
After much consideration and research, we have taken the decision that 2022 will be our final tour.
Having toured our unique range of vintage fairground rides and vehicles around the UK for the last 45 years, it is now time for a new chapter. We are looking for a permanent home and a new owner for the fair.
When John and Anna Carter, (Joby Carter’s parents) started the fair in 1977, they wanted it to be for the many and not the few. They were passionate about preserving fairground history at a time when other showmen were chasing the latest styles and innovations. In 2000 John sadly passed away after a 12-month battle with cancer. His meticulous attention to detail and premium values are the legacy that defines us as a family and as a business today. Thanks to the support of the extended Carters family and our loyal fans, the fair has become so much bigger than John could ever have expected. But with great success comes great responsibility.
As private keepers of heritage, we have invested thousands of hours over the years to ensure that these rides could be enjoyed by so many. We have spared no expense on restoring these rides to the condition they once were when they were new, even painting by hand and using real gold leaf. The interest in the fair and its unique artwork has never been higher. We had a bumper year in 2021 with over 100,000 visitors and we expect to see even more visitors in 2022. The fair is in immaculate condition which presents an ideal opportunity for someone else to take over.
The next chapter – a permanent home
We have been looking for suitable land for the fair to be placed on and have talked to the council and other landowners around the UK. As a family run business with expertise in restoration and travelling the fair, we have done our best to familiarise ourselves with the endless details of planning laws, highway regulations and heritage and culture grants. But it is an enormous task that we simply cannot do alone. We are now facing the reality that the best future for the fair is for it to be re-homed on a permanent site and operated by someone else.
We are keen that the new owners will ensure that our beloved collection of iconic fairground rides and sidestall games that we have curated over the years will continue to be enjoyed as an irreplaceable piece of British living history for generations to come.
For Carters, it’s time to pass the baton and let someone else continue the magic
What does this mean for the 2022 Carters Steam Fair tour?
If you are thinking about visiting us this year, our 2022 tour will carry on as planned to each location we have published. Please take as many photos and videos as you can and make some lovely memories with your family. Tag us with #Carters2022 so we can join in the fun. We can’t wait to see you!
For those of you that haven’t yet made plans to visit, we hope that by sharing this update today, we can ensure that no-one feels they will miss out. We are open at Pinkneys Green this weekend and we will be hosting our final vintage vehicle parade on Saturday at 10am: take the time to watch if you can! We then have events planned until October which you can see here: Carters Steam Fair 2022 tour dates. We offer free entry all day at every location and free rides when you book online.
Which parts of Carters Steam Fair are for sale?
The sale of Carters Steam Fair represents a rare investment opportunity: typically, vintage fairground rides are bought when they are in need of restoration and vintage rides are rarely sold as a collection. This is the first time an immaculate vintage funfair has been sold ready to operate. With a guide price of £2.5 million, our collection includes 13 vintage fairground rides and a selection of sidestall games which date from the 1890s to the 1960s. They have all been faithfully restored using traditional techniques and are in pristine condition.
Anyone with an interest in finding out more about buying the fair can contact Carters via email: [email protected]
A legacy: more than just a fair
In the last 10 years, the fair has become a recognised brand with a global fanbase and over 90,000 followers on social media. In peak months, we reach over 1 million fans on social media with our live videos and photos of the fair and its restoration. We have invested in a bespoke digital ticketing solution and ecommerce website and our award-winning marketing campaigns have ensured bumper footfall at our events. We are the ‘go to’ vintage funfair for film and TV producers and have featured in Paddington 2, Rocketman, BBC1’s Worzel Gummidge as well as various TV adverts from well-known brands including Sky mobile and Boots. All of this means the fair is a viable business for someone else to take over.
What will the Carter family do next?
Alongside managing their 2022 tour, this year the Carters team will co-ordinate the sale of the rides and attractions, ready for a new owner to take over from November 2022. After that, Joby Carter plans to increase his focus on the traditional art of signwriting, ensuring that the skills are kept alive and appreciated by an even wider audience. To date he has sold over 6000 copies of his book, ‘Signwriting Tips, Tricks and Inspiration’ which was published during the pandemic and thousands of people have joined his signwriting courses online and in person. Signwriting has become a social media sensation in its own right: fans around the world watch Joby Carter paint the iconic lettering styles by hand on Tik Tok and Instagram. Popular culture is also reflecting the growing popularity of this art: Joby’s hand-painted lettering was recently commissioned by Jools Holland for his latest album ‘Pianola. Piano & Friends’.
How can you support Carters Steam Fair in this new chapter?
We are keen to spread the word as far and wide as we can in the hope of finding a suitable new owner and ‘forever home’. Please share this post, or if you would like to feature the story on your own website or media outlet you can contact our press team for further information: [email protected]
In the meantime, please join us at an event and make 2022 our best year ever! Take photos and videos and make magical memories with your family. Remember to tag us with #Carters2022 so we can join in the fun. If you are planning your visit don’t forget that you’ll get free rides if you book your ride tokens online and collect at the fair. You can see our final tour dates online.
Thank you
Joby and Georgina Carter on behalf of the Carters family and team
