“Market towns have long been at the heart of life in rural England. For centuries they have been the focus for commercial and social activity. In recent years many of these functions have been weakened by social, industrial and agricultural change”. The Countryside Agency

The description of “Market Towns” covers a wide range of service centres across the East Midlands and includes seaside resorts and mining communities. In East Lindsey, the inland Market Towns historically hosted cattle markets as well as the usual fruit, vegetable and commodity markets and are the distance of a half-day’s drove of cattle or sheep apart from each other and, with the exception of Wainfleet, form a “string of pearls” around the Lincolnshire Wolds.

For centuries, Market Towns have been at the centre of life, both commercially and socially in rural Lincolnshire. However, over the last few decades, changes in agriculture and rural practices, industry, local service provision and increased mobility have led to a decline – whether perceived or real.