Fears for Stafford craft and vintage market

A new craft and vintage market launched in Stafford this week may already be in jeopardy due to an ancient law.

Stafford Borough Council has got in touch with the organisers of Stafford Craft and Vintage Market, which had hoped to run every Tuesday at Oddfellows Hall. The council is concerned it is in breach of an ancient market law stating any new pitch should not be within 6.2 miles of Stafford Indoor Market.

But organisers Emma Lewis and James Affleck said they were not in direct competition with it and they would fight any attempt to be closed down.

The couple both lost their jobs earlier this year. Mr Affleck, aged 32, was a music teacher at Stafford College and Miss Lewis, 34, an attendance adviser. He said: "We will fight any opposition to this market from the council."

Mr Affleck, who runs his own stall of collectables and vintage furniture, said there would be around 15 to 20 stalls each week and he hoped they would get lots of support from locals.

A spokesman from Stafford Borough Council said officers were looking into the problem.

He added they would be keen to encourage new businesses, but also protecting existing enterprises and working within the guidelines they have.