The National Trust will no longer allow the traditional Wisbech mart to set up on a car park it has used for at least 40 years, it has emerged. 

The charity leases the Chapel Road car park to Fenland District Council, which says one of the terms in the renewal “is a ban on” the funfair from using the site. 

But the National Trust says there are concerns the “fairs have outgrown this space” and the change will affect the mart’s next visit in March 2025.  

Now, Fenland District Council has launched a survey asking residents to vote for the best alternative site from three suggestions.  

Text accompanying the poll says: “The historic fair, run by The Showmen’s Guild, comes to the town twice a year and has, for many years, gone in the Chapel Road car park.   

“The car park is owned by The National Trust who lease it to Fenland District Council for use as a public car park.   

“The lease has ended, but one of the trust’s terms for its renewal is a ban on the use of the car park for the funfair, which the council currently hosts.   

“The council is now considering other possible council-owned sites to relocate the fair and would like people’s views on which they would prefer.”  

Locations being suggested are: Church Terrace car park (known locally as St Peter’s Church car park), Somers Road car park and Wisbech Park.  

The Market Place has not been put forward as a viable option as the council says it is not big enough to accommodate the mart. 

The survey also states the locations being suggested are for the relocation of funfair rides only. An additional site may be required for the operators’ vehicles and trailers.  

The poll will be open for two weeks and closes on December 13.  

The Eastern Counties section of The Showmen’s Guild has declined to comment on the matter while the consultation is ongoing.  

The Wisbech mart operates under a royal charter dating back hundreds of years. It has been gathering in the town since at least 1851.  

After officially opening in King’s Lynn every February, a smaller version of the fair breaks away and moves on to Wisbech. The showmen then return in August.   

A National Trust spokesperson said: “We’re currently in negotiations with Fenland District Council regarding a new lease for the car park at Chapel Road in Wisbech.  

“The Showman’s Guild has a charter with the Council to host two fairs a year in Wisbech and currently use this car park as their venue.  

“There are concerns from us and our tenants that these fairs have outgrown this space.  

“We remain hopeful that the Council will be able to find an alternative hard-standing option with the Showman’s Guild, so the fairs can continue in a more suitable location within Wisbech.”

To share your views in the poll visit www.fenland.gov.uk/WisbechFunfairRelocation