The centuries-old Lammas Market in St Andrews could cease unless showmen’s costs are reduced.
Rising diesel costs, transport costs and sky-high rents mean the Lammas thought to be Europe’s oldest surviving street fair is “under threat”.
The market, which dates back to medieval times, takes place annually in St Andrews on the second Monday and Tuesday in August.
Showmen from all over Britain set up their stalls and funfair rides on Market Street and on South Street.
However, Fife Council’s parks and community events officer Keith Jackson has warned that complaints from showmen about rising costs and high rents in St Andrews could throw the future of the well-attended fair into doubt.
The president of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain has also warned about rising costs.
Crisis talks have been held between Fife councillors, council officials and the Showmen’s Guild to find a solution.
Now St Andrews Community Council has been invited to send a representative to a new liaison committee as talks continue.
This year’s Lammas was badly affected by the weather, with the traditional stalls at the West Port end of South Street cancelled due to high winds.
However, there were also a number of noticeable spaces among the giant funfair rides which populate the remainder of the street.
High rents have been blamed for keeping some showmen away.
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