Owners in car show boycott over £2 fee

Vintage car owners are to boycott a classic car show because they object to paying to display their cars.

Organisers have hit back, saying that the charge for the show on August 9 is necessary to cover the running costs of the event.

Michael Rutty, who owns a 1938 Austin Seven, has been to the show at Stafford Castle for the past five years while it was free to enter. He said a number of drivers were unhappy because they did not see why they should pay £2 to display their cars when there would not be a show without them.

Event organisers at Stafford Borough Council say they have received 100 entries despite the charge and the show will go ahead.

Mr Rutty, of Craddock Road, Stafford, whose car took first place at Sugnall Car Show in Eccleshall, said that while the amount was negligible, it was the principle of the matter because they have to spend hundreds on keeping the cars presentable to display for the public's pleasure.

He said: "Without us, there wouldn't be a car show. We spend hundreds of pounds maintaining our cars, and now they are telling us we have to pay to display our cars.

"We don't pay to get into other shows at all. It's not the amount they are asking for – it is the principle. I understand a lot of local drivers are going to boycott it because of the charge."

Will Conaghan, a spokesman for Stafford Borough Council, said: "The cost of running the event has gone up but before making any decision to charge, we did consult with a number of exhibitors, who said they had no problem with paying this very small fee."

Carol Ingram, an events organiser for the North Staffordshire Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, said: "I don't think £2 is a bad charge at all. We pay up to £3 to some of the classic car shows we go to up and down the country.

"We always enjoy the show at the castle. If someone thinks £2 is too much to display their car, then it's their loss."