Despite soaring overheads and tightening belts, the organisers of the Links Market say they are determined to ensure Fifers enjoy all the fun of the fair for years to come.
As another successful event drew to a close at Kirkcaldy Esplanade, Philip Paris of the Showmen’s Guild admitted inflated fuel prices were making it more difficult to earn a living from touring shows.
With the schools back on Monday, the event appeared to fizzle out with a very quiet last day. And while the esplanade may have buzzed with youngsters during the holidays, but Mr Paris said he believed takings were down this year.
“It’s very quiet today,” he said. “Even with the schools being off, attendance was probably not just as good as it should have been but it’s hard times for some people, including ourselves.
“If the price of food or the price of fuel goes up, that’s something people have to live with. But we’re a leisure industry and are not providing something that is a necessity.
“But we’d like to think that we’re bringing something different to people’s lives.”
On top of the cost of diesel to transport equipment, fuelling the generators which power the rides is also becoming increasingly expensive. The price of the red diesel used is estimated to have gone up from around £100 to £160 per 200-litre barrel in the past year.
However Mr Paris said the showmen tried to keep the prices of rides down and some dropped this year to attract more customers.
“Diesel has fluctuated a lot very much the same as the prices at the pumps have climbed over the past few years. Before, when it reached a high, it would go back down but it doesn’t seem to be going down any more.
“Our expenses are astronomical and earnings tend to be down but we try to keep our prices as low as possible. I noticed that at least one children’s ride was down to £1 rather than £1.50 or £2.”
Despite the pressures facing the event, it featured a new white knuckle ride this year.
“I’d like to think there always will be a Links Market,” Mr Paris added. “It’s the highlight of the year and is the largest fun fair to take place in Scotland.”