ILKLEY Playhouse plays host to another of its ever-popular vintage fairs on Saturday, April 13. It is the ninth time the venue on Weston Road will throw open its doors and welcome in fans of all things classic, retro, kitsch and all points in between.

“The events keep growing and we see a lovely mix of returning customers and new faces every time the fair comes round,” said Jill Coulson of Burley-in-Wharfedale business Alfie Robot Retro, who organises the fairs. “Similarly, in terms of stalls, there will be a selection of firm favourites from previous events as well as traders who are making their Ilkley debut.”

April’s Ilkley Playhouse Vintage Fair will feature a wide selection of vintage clothing for women and men, shoes, homeware, kitchenware, old-school toys and mid-century furniture. There will also be a vintage jewellery specialist, art deco glass stall and a trader selling vinyl records. Sue Ryder Vintage Charity Shop, based in Headingley in Leeds, will return to the biannual event for a third time.

“I think this year’s spring fair has the most eclectic mixture of stalls yet, with sellers coming from all over Yorkshire and the north of England, so there really should be something for everyone,” added Jill.

As well as 20 stalls full of vintage treasure to pore over, the fair’s popular tea room will be called into action once more, providing hot drinks and sweet treats.

Hayley McPhun of Pigeon Vintage is one of the new stallholders and will travel all the way from Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire to do so. “I’m so looking forward to doing my first Ilkley Vintage Fair,” said Hayley, “I’ve been wanting to bring my rails for years. There will be dresses and clothing from the 1950s up to the 1990s and loads of vintage accessories at proper affordable prices, including a full sale rail.”

Support and promotion for the fair comes from Shelter Ilkley, where Community Manager Simon Boothman said of the fair: “It’s so good for somewhere like Ilkley to have such a vibrant event hit town twice a year. It has become part of the social calendar and we want to celebrate that. We’re letting Jill transform our shop window on The Grove in the weeks leading up to the fair, so we can also get into the vintage swing of things and showcase some of our amazing vintage donations we’ll have for sale.”

The Ilkley Playhouse Vintage Fair takes place at the Playhouse on Weston Road on Saturday 13th April. Doors open from 10am to 4pm and entrance costs £1, with under 16s free.