Coronavirus could cancel Kirkcaldy’s Links Market

The Links Market could be cancelled. Picture: Michael Gillen

It comes as the number of confirmed cases in Scotland has risen to six.

The Showmen’s Guild is staying positive as it begins preparations for this year’s event, but admits that the likelihood of it being cancelled for the first time in living memory could be 50/50.

You may also be interested in:

Coronavirus: Fife positive cases confirmed

Parking changes outside Rejects in Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy Airshow: Fife could benefit after Ayr event cancelled

Drug user robbed three homes and stole charity tin

They are now actively seeking advice from all authorities involved in the hope of finding guidance.

The annual extravaganza can trace its origins back more than 700 years, with this year’s event scheduled to open on Wednesday, April 15, and finish on Monday April 20.

Alex James Colquhoun, chairman of the Scottish section of the Guild, said a meeting was held last week between security, police and Fife Council last week, but the situation had deteriorated over the last few days.

He said: “The information that we had then was ‘carry on planning all the events as normal’, but things have changed dramatically over the weekend.

“We just have to look on the positive side. We’re going ahead with all the planning.

“We’re concerned about it, we’re going to keep talking to everyone and get as much advice as we possibly can.

“Hopefully things will calm down and we can get on and have another enjoyable Links Market.

“We’re trying to play it by ear. It’s definitely worrying. It’s uncharted water.

“We have to take people’s safety into account.

“We’re looking at hiring hand-washing stations and putting sanitisers out everywhere we can possibly get them.”

Regarding the chances of the event veing cancelled, Mr Colquhoun said: “I would say it’s 50/50.

“Hopefully things will get better, we’ve all been taken by surprise just how quickly it’s moved on.

“From information coming from the Scottish Parliament and from the Prime Minister, it’s looking like it’s going to peak round about our exact time.

“We have to look on the bright side that hopefully it’s not going to get any worse.”