A ROW has blown up between Wootton Bassett Town Council and traders in the town's High Street over plans to hold a street festival in August.

The council wants to close the main shopping street on a Saturday for the event, but traders say it will disrupt their most profitable day of the week.

Twenty traders and the chamber of commerce objected to the proposal and a petition was sent to North Wiltshire District Council.

But after a 45-minute debate, the district council's area committee gave the town council permission to close the High Street for the event on August 3.

The traders say customers, staff and delivery vans will struggle to get to their shops. They also argue that a park and ride scheme from the Ballard's Ash Sports Ground, proposed for the day, will not be used by customers.

Peter Davis, from Wootton Bassett Post Office, said: "The High Street has not been closed on a Saturday since the silver jubilee and I can't see it being a success.

"Most customers just won't bother coming into town. It's really sad for the town that the council has chosen not to listen to the traders again."

Philippa Lawrence, the owner of Philippa Lawrence Property Management Services, said: "There's little point staying open because I can't imagine any of my prospective tenants catching a park and ride bus to come and look at properties.

"Most traders in the High Street see their takings go up by 40 per cent on Saturdays, but their customers won't be able to get to them."

Bryan Taylor, who owns Bryan Taylor Music Shop and is vice-president of the town's chamber of commerce, said: "I don't understand why they don't hold it in Ballard's Ash.

"But a decision has been made now and we've got to work with it ."

The council wants to hold the festival on a Saturday rather than a Sunday is because it wants shops to open, as it feels it will boost trade.

Town clerk Johnathan Bourne said: "We sent 220 letters to traders about the festival and received only 20 letters of complaint.

"We will now work with them to try to alleviate their concerns, because it is very important the traders are behind it."