Four historic market stances in the centre of St Andrews are to be reviewed by Fife Council amid concerns that the charges imposed are too low.
The stances on the cobbled Market Street next to the soon-to-be-restored Whyte Melville Fountain have been a long-standing tradition in the town, attracting second-hand book dealers and craft stalls among others.
But St Andrews councillor Frances Melville revealed that the council is to “revisit” certain aspects of their operation and has invited members of the town’s community council to make comment.
She said there had been concerns from some shopkeepers who pay hefty business rates that the stallholders are charged just £10 per day.
She said there had also been problems with vehicles reversing into them and there had even been a double booking.
Mrs Melville: “The stances are a long-standing tradition. It’s one of these traditions in the town that goes on and on and on. But the charges are very low and a review will be done.
“There is a lot of work goes into the servicing, collecting refuse etc. But if we got rid of them it would be controversial it’s not called Market Street for nothing!”
Mrs Melville said there was a prerequisite that stalls should not sell goods that were similar to those on sale in shops within 50 metres.
She also said that progress was being made in restoring the Whyte Melville Fountain, with a report set to go before the council’s North-East Fife area committee this month.
Community councillor Ken Crichton asked if the review might consider increasing the number of stalls.
He noted that in many English towns street markets were a common occurrence and suggested there could be “better footfall” in St Andrews as local people sometimes complained there were a lack of affordable shops.
Fellow community councillor Marysia Denyer noted there had been market stalls set up in Church Square giving a “bohemian feel” that visitors like.
However, she did not think it would be practical to extend the number of stalls in Market Street, given the traffic issues.