Hopes are high that the Links Market will remain an annual fixture on Kirkcaldy Esplanade after another fairly busy period for the funfair.
The carnival left the Lang Toun for another year following a week on the waterfront, which has been blessed with fine weather and saw people of all ages come from miles around to visit the event.
More than 100,000 people are thought to have taken a walk through the array of stalls and rides from Wednesday to Monday, although the impact of the recession appears to have stopped many from spending as much money as they may have done in previous years.
Philip Paris, from the Showmen’s Guild, said the Links Market had run smoothly over the last week or so but admitted takings had been slightly down on past years.
“I think overall we had brilliant weather for the most part and because the children were off school for quite a long period of time we tended to get larger numbers during the week rather than people waiting for the weekend,” he said.
“As far as the showmen are concerned, I just think in view of the fact that we’ve had better weather than we’ve had for quite a few years it was not just as busy as we hoped it would be, bearing in mind that expenses like fuel costs go up every year.
“But I don’t think that will affect future markets because the showmen will still come from far and wide to Kirkcaldy because it’s one of the major events on the showmen’s calendar.”
Most of the caravans and trailers had disappeared overnight after the market officially closed late on Monday, with council workers spending most of the day yesterday ensuring the esplanade is left clean and tidy.
Question marks continue to be raised over the future of the Links Market on the esplanade, with Fife Council and its partners drawing up ambitious plans to develop the Invertiel area which includes the truck park at the west end of the market and the esplanade itself.
Suggestions have been bandied around in recent years that it could be moved to Beveridge Park or even an industrial estate in the town should development go ahead.
However, Mr Paris said he had brought the issue up with councillors and officials at the market’s opening lunch last Wednesday and had been assured the market is here to stay.
“To take the market off the esplanade would break 700-odd years of tradition now,” he said. “From past experience at other fairs, when they are moved from their traditional spot they are never the same again.”