This Sunday, April 13th, marks a momentous occasion - our 253rd and final appearance at the Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar (BBB). As we prepare for this last show at The Nightingales, I find myself reflecting on a journey that began in October 2002, with a simple act of friendship that would change our family's life forever.
It started when my father, was asked by a friend to repair a broken set of cuffs. True to his character, he refused - instead making a better set from scratch. That friend's enthusiasm led to a suggestion that would shape our future: "Why not sell these at the BBB?" And so, with a small selection of handmade pieces and trading as "Andy's Cuffs & Collars" (no prizes for guessing my Dad's name!), Leather Delights was born.
My own BBB story began in October 2007. As a skinny 18-year-old at the University of Birmingham, I was recruited for the all-important task of carrying boxes up and down stairs. Little did I know then how those Sunday markets would become such a fundamental part of my life.
The BBB has been more than just a monthly market - it's been our second home, our community hub, and the foundation upon which we built Leather Delights into the UK's largest producer of handmade BDSM and fetish accessories. Every third Sunday for the past 23 years, we've been there, rain or shine, setting up our stall and greeting familiar faces. We've only missed one market - August 2011, the month we lost Dad. 🖤
In the wake of that loss, our family - me, my Mum, my Sister, and my Nan - made the decision to continue what Dad had started. We wanted to honor his legacy and the reputation he'd built for quality and craftsmanship. Over the past 14 years, we've grown Leather Delights beyond what any of us imagined possible, but we've never forgotten our roots or the principles Dad established.
The consistency paid off - in 2023, you voted us your favourite trader, an honour that still makes us beam with pride. We've been there through every holiday imaginable - Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter - I even arranged my wedding and honeymoon around BBB dates! That's how central this market has been to our lives.
Why Say Goodbye?
This wasn't in our 2025 business plan. The recent refurbishment at The Nightingales has significantly reduced the space available for traders, making it impossible to showcase our full range of handmade pieces. While we tried making it work from the cafe area these past couple of months, we've always believed in delivering the complete Leather Delights experience. Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the right ones.
A Legacy of Quality
The BBB took us from a small family business to where we are today. It's where we first introduced our lifetime guarantee, where we developed our unwavering commitment to quality, and where we learned the value of building lasting relationships with our community. Every piece we create combines traditional techniques passed down through generations with premium materials like our signature oak bark tanned leather.
Looking Forward 🌟
While this chapter is closing, our dedication to handmade quality isn't changing. You can still find us:
- Every first Sunday at the London Alternative Market
- July 12th at HEX in Sheffield
- October at the Noir Night Market in Glasgow
- Later this year at Townhouse Market
- 24/7 at leatherdelights.co.uk
Our commitment to quality remains unchanged. We're continuing to expand our online presence, develop new designs, and maintain the personal touch that BBB taught us was so important.
To Our BBB Family ❤️
To every customer who's become a friend, every fellow maker who's shared advice and laughter, and to the BBB team who gave us our start - thank you. You've been integral to transforming Leather Delights from a market stall to the UK's largest producer of handmade BDSM and fetish accessories. Those memories of helping Dad as an 18-year-old make this goodbye particularly poignant, but we know he'd be proud of how far we've come.
Join us this Sunday (the 13th of April 2025) for our 253rd & final BBB adventure. Let's make it memorable!
Shaun, Michelle & Family