Traders divided as visiting event arrives in popular resort

A ROW has broken out in a Merseyside seaside resort as an upcoming market divides opinion ahead of one of the biggest weekends of the year.

- By EDWARD BARNES

With sunshine forecast for the entire first May bank holiday weekend, businesses up and down New Brighton are preparing for an influx of people looking to spend a day at the beach, enjoy the marine lake, and relax in the sun.

Yesterday, there was a regular farmer's market on Victoria Road, which enjoys broad community support. However, a visiting continental market this weekend, set up by Merseyside company RREvents, is causing a stir amongst some local businesses who feel it will take money away from them at a crucial time. These concerns were raised at a meeting in which Wirral councillors allowed the market to go ahead with restrictions.

Despite those restrictions, Dave Wilkie, who owns the Adventureland fairground, said he was still worried about the impact rival food stalls could have, and hit out at the council for what he felt was a lack of support. He told the ECHO: “The concerns are obvious, and it was obvious to the panel what my concerns were, and those of 25 companies. They know it is damaging to business.”

He added: “I know how to make it work and we have tried, but without the council's support we can’t do anything. I can only deal with what is in my four walls.

“What advantages does this have for the council? They aren't getting any money. RREvents are obviously trying to feed off the people who are already coming down’

He added: “I am banging my head against a brick wall. How about I sell up and let's put an ASDA on there? How would that be for New Brighton? I am just dealing with very backward thinking people”

In response, Knowsley-based organiser RREvents said they had taken time to promote local businesses including fish and chip shops. They stressed their market was of benefit to local businesses who could not afford to have a permanent place and would give people more choice when visiting the area on a bank holiday.