‘Fingers crossed’ as fair bids to run for an extra day

ROYAL CHARTER MEANS HOME SECRETARY WILL HAVE TO AGREE TO AN EXTRA DAY

IT has provided entertainment for young and old alike for more than 750 years.

And Ilkeston’s famous Charter Fair could be set for a change as a consultation is launched to see whether the public want the annual event to go on for an extra day.

The fair, one of the oldest and largest of its type in Europe, traditionally takes place every October from Wednesday until Saturday night, but The Showmen’s Guild would like to see this extended into the Sunday.

If it were to go ahead, this would mean the stalls and rides would be open from 1pm-9pm on the Sunday of the fair.

Businesses in the area said they would welcome an extra day.

Charlotte Cresswell, manager of the Queens Counsel pub in Market Place, said: “Luckily for us The Showmen’s Guild come in every year after work so we extend our licence to have them and it is always a pleasure.

“It is the busiest time of the year - it’s busier than Christmas and New Year. It is fantastic for Ilkeston.

“Everyone is excited about it, so fingers crossed.”

Karen Shaw, owner of South Perk Sandwich Bar, does not normally open at the weekend but does when the fair is on.

She said she would open on the Sunday if the extension was granted, despite reservations about whether it would lead to an increase in sales.

She added: “I do open to the fair day and night so it would probably benefit me, but I do also think that people only Ilkeston’s annual Charter Fair runs from Wednesday until Saturday have so much money to spend so I think they will still only come up the same amount of time.

“I would have to give up my Sunday if it did go ahead but owning a business I do have to do things like that.”

The fair’s Royal Charter was originally granted in 1252. This means Erewash Borough Council can’t simply decide to extend the event and must follow a legal process which will require Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to approve it.

A 12-week public consultation has now launched and the results of this will then go to the council to consider.

Councillor Gerri Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s lead member for community engagement, said: “The Home Secretary will only grant an extension of the fair if he believes that the change is for the convenience and advantage of the public.

“He would expect us to have asked local people for their views and for the responses to be included in any approach to him.

“That is why it is important that residents tell us their thoughts.”

The Charter for the fair was granted by King Henry III in 1252.

The King’s Charter says: “Know ye that we have granted and by this our charter confirmed to our beloved and faithful Hugh son of Ralph, that he and his heirs for ever shall have free warren in all their demesne lands of Elkesdon.”

Initially, the fair would have been mainly a trading event but amusements and festivities were also associated with fairs on holy days.

The survey can be found on the council’s website and a paper copy is also available at Ilkeston and Long Eaton town halls.