Its like a bitter divorce...

Hi people,

So unfortunately I have more bad news to bring you and it is as I have said above like a bad break up I am left feeling angry, confused, betrayed, bitter and wondering how to get my maiden name back!! Ha

As many of you know myself and Scarlet are also proud mamas to Sowe (selling vintage and customised clothing and accessories). We have always operated from the Custard Factory (hence our Custard Cream moniker) originally at the Saturday Flea (RIP) and more recently from Retro Brum.

I recently blogged to say that we had been advised that due to an electrical problem the venue wasnt able to be used and that the Saturday Retro Brum had to be cancelled, so we were disappointed but we thought ok its fine we arent gonna make a big deal about it and we just looked forward to the next one...then that was cancelled too and to make matters worse we were also given the news that it was all over no more Retro Brum at the Custard Factory.

Unfortunately we dont know why it was cancelled so we can't speculate on that.

Now like all break-ups it seems like once its over the ugly truth begins to rear its head and we hear from fellow stall holders (and the good old internet) that the so-called electrical fault was actually that they had double booked the venue for a wine tasting event!! And looksy heres the evidence..

http://www.virginwines.co.uk/main/rules.jsp?ref=VG6318

Now Im not gonna sit on here and bitch about my ex (the Custard Factory) but... (ok I will) but its not the first time they have let us down like this and I cant help but feel that they wanted the relationship to end a long time ago... so why not have the balls to do it, why string us along keep us interested (make us buy more stock) to dump us the day before the big Vintage Fair (one of our busiest days) oh and did I mention they did the exact same thing to us last time right before the big Vintage Fair.....Oh we were fools to trust them again after that.

Its a shame as I think Birmingham albeit an amazing city really lacks unique and independent trading spaces as Scarlet has said before (see her recent blog on the Candy Store) there arent a huge amount of boutiques and shops that are independent from the usual high street chains. The skyhigh rents of the city centre tends to either force people out or gives them a short shelf life. Whereas cities like Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield have a thriving range of independent venues.

I had always thought that the aim of the Custard Factory was to provide a space that was accessible for the community as a creative outlet and venue.

Owner of the CF Bennie Gray stated in 2010 when asked about the redevelopment of the Zellig area “The most important thing is the working community – the idea that hundreds of creative enterprises can be in one place." Isnt getting rid of an established weekly event home to 30-50 stallholders a complete contradiction to this statement?!

The fact that in 2010 the CF had around £6 million of funding from Advantage West Midlands to carry out the redevelopment works to the Zellig area makes it even more galling that so many of us have been left without an income from the saturday Vintage markets.

If you visit the CF as a tourist you are unlikely to find much there almost everything other than a cafe is closed ..not to boast but we were literally the life and soul of the place!

So safe to say we are looking for new venues / events for us to continue with Sowe and there is no way we will be going back to the Custard Factory! We are definitely all about on to bigger and better and we will keep you posted!

Hopefully you will find Sowe and our vintage chums in a nice new home soon - also if you have any ideas suggestions for new homes please get in touch?! (Especially you secret millionaires please!!)

So Im off to cut up old pictures, listen to Adele, drink wine eat Ben & Jerrys and generally get over the CF!!

lots love

Elle-phant

xx

If you want to read the interview with Bennie Gray its here: http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2010/05/28/10m-expansion-at-custard-factory-hints-at-greater-ambition-for-digbeth-65233-26545553/