inulro | Fantasycon - stupid question

Because we don't get to see each other during the week any more, Jason has decided to come up to Nottingham with me for Fantasycon, but he's unsure whether he wants to buy a ticket for the con itself or not (it's a lot of money for something he's not as interested in as I am).

We were wondering if there's likely to be things to do for non-ticket holders, like a bar in the hotel where people hang out or vendors in non-ticketed areas?

I have no idea, as I've never been to a con before, so I said I'd ask.