Kemp Town Carnival kyboshed by traders

7:30pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

Comments (23)   Have your say »

A carnival which attracted thousands of visitors has been cancelled after protests by traders.

The Kemp Town Carnival will not take place next month after businesses complained over the proposed closure of St George's Road on festival day.

Last night politicians, residents and pub licensees hit out at critics of the event, in its 11th year, with one angry landlord saying: "They should be named and shamed."

Kemp Town Community Events, the organising group, held a public meeting last May after businesses complained to Brighton and Hove City Council.

A number of traders voiced their opposition and afterwards the community group decided to fold.

Mel Gravenor, former community association treasurer, said: "We did experience some antagonism from some traders.

"They thought it was too big and there were lots of people around the road which I would have thought would have benefited them.

"Instead of engendering a community spirit it seemed to evoke antipathy from some quarters. We didn't get paid for doing it, we did it for the community."

Suzie Turner, former community association co-ordinator, said: "As a community group it became too large and, with all the organising and pressure, it was too much to ask of the team.

"It is tragic for the area. But it needs a year off so that it can re-start as a bohemian, community event like it was ten years ago."

Scenes from last year's event, which attracted 12,500 people, may never be repeated unless other residents form another community group.

Sean Agar, landlord of The Golden Canon pub in St George's Road, said: "It's a shame because it is Kemp Town's busiest day.

"It is terrible that a few businesses have been able to stop something which has been going on for so many years and enjoyed by thousands of people.

"I think they should be named and shamed. It attracted thousands of people last year when it was raining so imagine how busy it would be this year."

Brighton and Hove city councillor Gill Mitchell organised the first four carnivals when she represented the former Kingscliffe ward.

She said: "It's a great shame because it used to attract lots of people to the area. I would have thought the traders benefited.

"It is part of the Kemp Town heritage and will be a huge loss because it was so colourful and vibrant."

Simon Burgess, Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Brighton Kemptown constituency, said: "I'm disappointed it is not going to take place this year.

"It has played an enormous part in forming a sense of community in the area and people really look forward to it.

"I hope differences can be worked out and it comes back next year. It is such an important event in the local calender."

Craig Turton, Brighton and Hove city councillor for East Brighton, said: "People will be very disappointed if it doesn't go ahead.

"It is a great shame for the community because it attracts lots of families that would otherwise not visit the area."

Resident Christopher Sparrow, 38, of Bloomsbury Street, said: "It would be a shame to lose it. The carnival brought something special to the area.

"Closing the roads to traffic changed the whole pace of life and brought the whole community together."

Are you for or against the carnival? Join the debate below.