Newark: Legal protection sought to protect town's market from rivals

Legal protection is being sought to protect Newark market from rivals.

A specialist markets legal adviser confirmed to Newark Town Council that its Royal Charter, granted in 1329, only extends to Wednesday market days and an annual May fair.

The town council prides itself on its Newark Royal Market brand, but the charter, and the protections it offers, does not extend to other market days.

That means that since 1329, a rival could have set up an alternative market in the locality on any day to rival the general or flea markets that take place on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays or Sundays.

The council took control of the markets from Newark and Sherwood District Council, which means it holds the Royal Charter and can seek legal protections.

It must now register the extra days through the Food Act 1984.

A report to council said: “The formal mandating of such rights is a prerequisite to allow legal defence and protection of our markets against any other rival market that may seek to operate in the local area, and in doing so, may cause impediment and adverse effect to the Newark Market.”

The protection extends to 62/3 miles from Newark Market Place.

The report says that, in addition, the district council would need to make arrangements to regulate rival markets to ensure that anyone wanting to operate one, or a car boot sale, within that boundary would only able to do so through prior agreement.

A licence, with a potential licence fee, could then be issued that would waive the council’s right to take legal action.