SHOPKEEPERS are up in arms over plans to make the next Mop fair even bigger.
Chipping Sodbury traders say the planned 48-hour road closure, to allow for big funfair rides to be brought in, will force shoppers out of town resulting in thousands of pounds of lost business.
Ian Veale, of Ian’s Fruit and Veg shop in Broad Street, said: "Whoever makes the decisions obviously doesn’t have a business here.
"Shoppers will go down to Yate and we will lose business.
"I am not happy about it but we have not even been asked about it, we just received a letter a few weeks ago."
Sodbury Town Council, which runs the ancient fair, says it has worked hard to make September’s two-day event a success and keep residents and shop owners happy.
Cllr Rod Gall, who sits on the Mop fair committee, said: "We are not talking about Alton Towers or anything but the reality is we have to cater for a number of different people otherwise we will get nobody there.
"There is always one party not happy but we are hoping this next Mop fair will pose the best compromise."
Dodgems, a big wheel, a carousel and a helter skelter, as well as two other unconfirmed big rides, will take over the town’s main thoroughfare.
The whole of Broad Street will be closed from 7am on Friday, September 19 until midnight on Saturday, September 20.
There will be 24-hour security and exceptions to access for residents, delivery drivers, disabled people and emergency services.
Added Cllr Gall: "We have sent letters to traders and residents so they know exactly what is happening well in advance.
"It has been such a chore to balance everything and the last two years have been a transitional period.
"Hopefully we are getting close to the balance where we can say this is the winning formula."
The changes signal a u-turn on last year’s decision to downsize the event following a petition over the closure of Wickwar Road by traders.
Mandy Sainsbury, who owns the Ball of Wool shop and ran the campaign in 2007, said: "It is a difficult situation for the council and for us.
"It is an immense juggling act but the nature of the beast is that we all suffer losses over the Mop fair."
PC Giles Sutton said officers would be out on patrol in the areas outside the fair itself, ready to seize alcohol from underage drinkers.
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