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 to hold the event, but shopkeepers say it will disrupt their most profitable day of the week.

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

But after a 45-minute debate last night, the concerns were overlooked as 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 hasn't 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, 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: "It doesn't make sense. 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 and move forward. We can't do anything else."

The council wants to hold the festival on a Saturday rather than a Sunday is because it wants shops to open, as they feel 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 those traders to try to alleviate their concerns, because we want this to be a success and it is very important that the traders are behind it."