Charter says Long Sutton Market stall holders should not have to pay

Here is a letter from Wednesday's Fenland Citizen...

Regarding the rise in fees for Long Sutton market stallholders, I note from your paper that we have two councillors who voice that they get very little support for the town from South Holland District Council.

Many of us can remember when Long Sutton had a free market on a Friday, with a Royal Charter executed by King John and conferred by other Kings and Queens and held at Lincoln Archives.

The charter is free of all tolls and cannot be repealed other than by an act of parliament.

Our free market had stalls, with a first come first served basis for holders on the day.

When I was civic chair, the parish council held a meeting to control the market, but then decided not to take it on.

So then the district council said that, as the Royal Standard had to stay, they could take over by clearing up afterwards and to charge the holders for this work.

Since then, the district has stopped clearing up but is still charging the stall holders.

Should we now go back to our free market and only pay for the signage that councils insist on?

Our two councillors have worked hard to get our market for our community – let’s all come together to keep it so and to also help our shopping area.

Tony Button

Long Sutton