Fear over Scotish travelling fairs
Published December 31st, 2005
TRADITIONAL travelling fairgrounds are under threat in Scotland, it emerged yesterday.
Operators say that increasing red tape is making it more and more difficult to find suitable sites around the country.
The Showmen’s Guild, which represents travelling fairground operators, says it has also run into a brick wall in dealing with politicians.
Philip Paris, who chairs the Scottish branch of the group, said: “It’s definitely under threat, there’s no doubt about that. People are now becoming part-time showmen. Most have HGV licences and a lot of them are doing that during the summer season as well.
“That wouldn’t have been heard of in my father’s day.”
Traditionally, fairs travel around the country from March until October, but
increasingly complex licensing rules are making it difficult for them to secure suitable sites in Scotland, Mr Paris said.
“You’ve got to inform local residents, and there’s often objections from them or from the police,” he explained.
A large disparity also exists across the country in fees for licences, ranging from £86 for a temporary licence in Midlothian to £800 for a new permit in Edinburgh.
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