Town fair no fun for me and my business says Dudley trader
The owner of a furniture store is protesting over a fun fair which will be held outside his store this week which he claims will hit his sales up to 90 per cent.
Andrew Hill, who runs Discount Suites and Beds on Oakeywell Street in Dudley, says the fair effects his business because it is located on a council car park 'right outside his shop'.
He says the amount of customers he gets drop during that time. The fair is set to start today .
But council leaders have hit back at Mr Hill's claims, which they believe are unjustified.
Mr Hill said: "Dudley Council has allowed the fun fair to go ahead on the car park directly in front of my shop.
"The fun fair normally runs for two weeks, and in that time my sales are affected around 80 to 90 per cent.
"The fair has been held for the last two years and I have been protesting against, but Dudley Council doesn't seem to care."
His shop is located next to Flood Street car park, near to Cousins, which is where the fun fair is held.
Mr Hill says the fair will run for two weeks.
Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, the Labour spokesman for planning and economic development, at Dudley Council, said: "I think we had this issue last year. I don't think it is justifiable. The funfair does not block off his store.
"The fun fair attracts more people to the town centre, where they can also go and shop.
"I think the view we have taken is in the interest of the larger picture."
Dudley Council owns the land and allows businesses and companies to use it by paying a fee.
Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The funfair on Flood Street car park was a big success last year in terms of bringing extra footfall into the town centre, as well as generating income for the council.
“We were made aware of Mr Hill’s feelings while it was here last time, and asked him to write to us after it had gone outlining exactly how it had affected his trade. Unfortunately we never heard from him. We have also not received any complaints from any other traders in the town centre.
“The funfair will be returning on Friday, and we remain in discussions with Mr Hill as to how we can support his business through measures such as extra signage.”
