Council uses 1227 charter to close villagers’ market

A MARKET set up in a village to help the vulnerable in lockdown has been shut down for breaching an 800-yearold charter signed by Henry III.

A resident in Sileby, Leicestershire, set up a fruit and vegetable stall in a pub car park nine weeks ago to help feed people reluctant to take public transport to nearby Loughborough. It proved a hit in the village (population 8,000) and now has nine stalls selling vegetables, bread and flowers.

Elderly or disabled residents viewed the market as a chance to socialise safely, organisers said. But traders will now have to close due to a 1227 charter, signed 12 years after the Magna Carta, which prohibits any market “within six miles and two third miles” of Loughborough to protect the town’s trade. Sileby is five miles away.

Steve Smith, 51, who set up the first stall, said: “It’s a lovely atmosphere because the elderly have been lonely while locked up.

“Many simply don’t want to risk travelling further afield, or use scooters which means they cannot get on the bus. Even if we can’t have a permanent market we would like to keep it in place during lockdown.”

An online petition to save the market has been signed by 1,300 people and 300 have signed a paper version. Residents on Facebook have also condemned the decision.

Sarah Simmonds-townsend wrote: “An 800-year-old charter is a red tape that needs to be removed.”

Sandra Pickett added: “This has really annoyed me. It’s something so good for the whole community, including the traders trying to make a living during an awful time.”

Charnwood borough council said allowing

‘The elderly have been lonely while locked up. Many simply don’t want to risk travelling further afield’

the market to continue would “set a precedent for others which would considerably impact the 799-year-old Loughborough Market”. It said stallholders had been told to pause while the situation was reviewed, and officials would “work with” organisers and “investigate” alternative options.

A charter for a market was granted to the Lord of the Manor in Loughborough in 1221 and reconfirmed in 1227. It still allows its holder, now the council, to act against rivals who set up nearby.