WOOTTON Bassett Town Council is in danger of creating a rod for its own back by annoying traders with plans to close the High Street for a one-day festival.

Shopkeepers are understandably concerned about profits being disrupted, with the event planned for a busy Saturday in August.

The town council originally decided to hold the festival on a Saturday rather than a Sunday because it wants shops to open, and so boost trade. But the irony is, it seems most shops are now planning to shut for the whole day.

No one would like to see the event flounder, but compromise is the key if any progress is to be made here.