A member of the Showmen’s Guild warned that crippling fuel costs, dismal weather and the general poor economic situation are ”killing the business” as Europe’s oldest street fair, the annual Lammas Market, got under way in St Andrews.
The long-term warning was sounded by Billy Hammond, whose family have organised the Market Street/Church Street end of the fair for decades.
Mr Hammond, who is based in Glasgow and took over the running of the Market Street end of the fair from his grandfather Jackie Hammond 12 years ago, expressed his hope that the market would survive the recession and flourish thereafter.
But he told The Courier: ”Fuel costs in particular are crippling. They are killing the business. I just hope we can come out of the recession and continue okay.”
He added: ”The Lammas is the highlight of my year. There’s been a shower of rain today but the weather at the weekend was great.
”We’re well pleased with Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With the schools going back, we might be hit on Tuesday afternoon.
”There’s less money going around generally. But the rides are no more expensive than recent years. Some rides are offering happy hour for £1. We hope people will still spend a few pounds and enjoy themselves.”
The Lammas got into full swing on Monday as showmen and traders from across the country hoped the changeable weather wouldn’t deter too many people from enjoying their huge rides, fairground attractions and stalls in the town centre.
The ‘wee market’ got under way in Market Street on Friday, but Sunday night’s setting up of the ‘big market’ in South Street signalled the start at 11am on Monday of the annual crowd-puller that is the oldest street fair in Europe.
With children in Fife returning to primary school today, it was all the fun of the fair as families made the most of what was left of their summer holidays.
And into the evening, the streets were still thronging with teenagers keen to enjoy the thrills and spills of some of the more daring rides.
Fife Council parks and community events officer Keith Jackson told The Courier the continental market in Market Street had proved to be particularly popular over the weekend, adding ”another dimension” to the Lammas.
He said: ”We’ve had a continental market for four years now and I’ve been getting a lot of good feedback again this year. It adds another dimension to the Lammas and I’ve been getting a lot of calls about it.
”It was exceptionally busy on Friday. Sometimes traders in the town centre complain about the market but the feedback I’ve been getting in Market Street is that the continental market is helping local businesses.”
This was backed by Shar Norton, principal of the continental market, who said they were ”having a ball” and that local shops were benefiting.
She said: ”So far so good. This time it’s a little bit different as we have the Dutch flower market. It’s the first time they’ve visited us and it’s proving extremely popular. They have quite a big following.
”They are thrilled to be here and are a particular crowd puller. We’re having a good time.
”It’s been very well organised. Fife Council have been superb and helpful. This is our fourth year. It’s extended Market Street into a good retail area.
”We’ve got our stalls facing the shops, bulking it out. It means people spend some time in Market Street and are spending more money.
”We’ve had a very warm, friendly welcome. It’s taken us four years to get the formula right. Now everyone is happy.”