February 12, 2020 11.12 am This story is over 55 months old

Boston council petitioned for car boots to save High Street

Residents say the move could increase Sunday footfall
Boston Market Place

A petition has been launched calling on Boston Borough Council to trial holding car boot sales in the market place in a bid to “stop the town dying”.

Rachel Peak set up the petition last week and has so far received nearly 350 signatures.

She says she has worked in retail in the town for 25 years including for HMV, Bon Marche, Game, Pep and CO and Ryman Stationary.

“I have seen the town decline with fewer shoppers and we need to try to get more people into Boston to support the High Street,” she said.

“Our market is getting smaller and it wouldn’t conflict [with the normal market] if it was on a different day such as Sunday.

“It’s a small step, a small idea, but this could actually be good for our town and get people out on a Sunday morning and would help retailers with extra footfall.”

“I am passionate about the high street and we need to start to fight and not just give up or blame the internet.”

A Boston Borough Council spokesman said it could not comment “until we have received the petition”.

According to the authority’s website, a permit is required to hold a car boot sale within six-and-two-third miles of Boston town centre.

It also forbids sales on Wednesdays or Saturdays, and bans commercial traders.

The nearby Stickney Car Boot Sale is very popular. Photo: Stickney Car Boot Sale website

Guidance from the authority says the system “preserves the right of the council under their Market Charter” and “stops the growing practice of professional stall holders attending car boot sales and setting up what can be in effect a market.”

The nearby Stickney Car Boot Sale, which takes place on Saturdays across Summer and Autumn hosts thousands of traders and customers attracted by cheap £5 pitches and free customer parking.

The Market Place is classed as a public highway and is owned by Lincolnshire County Council.

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