Ali Batts, a singer who used to play in a blues band in Northern Ireland, was banned from several car boot sales in north Norfolk in 2018.
READ MORE: WATCH – Singer writes song about a ban on performing at car boot sales
“I was trying to sell a guitar,” recalls Mrs Batts, who lives in Cromer with her husband Andrew.
“When I got bored, I started singing and playing the guitar.”
She was banned from car boot sales after complaints from a woman – a ban later upheld by several other car boot sites in the region.
“People don’t like people doing different things,” she said.
“In life, if it doesn’t hurt anyone, I will.”
She said the ban made her and her husband “re-evaluate” the trunks of visiting cars. Instead, the couple bought a gazebo to visit markets.
They have now opened their own jewelery and accessories shop – Bee-jeweled – in Cromer’s New Parade.
“We are doing our best, even though it is difficult for every company right now,” she said.
“We need to keep small local businesses alive – they are so important and if we don’t they will be gone forever.”
