Traders’ anger over Christmas event in centre
ACHRISTMAS attraction in Bristol city centre has sparked anger from businesses currently unable to trade.
People are questioning why the winter wonderland event in Millennium Square has been allowed to go ahead when Bristol is in Tier 3 - the highest level of restrictions.
Leaders in Bristol’s hospitality scene say it is unfair the attraction is allowed to operate when pubs and restaurants across the city remain closed.
The attraction includes funfair rides such as dodgems and a helter skelter alongside food stalls and is due to run until January 3.
Government guidelines state ‘outdoor events such as funfairs can continue to happen in line with Covid-secure guidance’ in all three tiers. They also stipulate outdoor tourism and entertainment venues can remain open subject to following the relevant rules and guidelines.
Save Bristol Nightlife is a group which campaigns for and champions businesses working in Bristol’s night-time economy. One of the its founders, Annie McGann, slammed the attraction as an “insensitive insult” to independent traders in Bristol.
She said: “Bristol businesses are not allowed to operate yet here we have some kind of extravaganza going on in Millennium Square. This is outrageous in my opinion.
“How is this happening? Is it because they have some long-term lease on the space? How can Bristol business get a look in if they are allowing this to happen?
“Bristol needs its open spaces for its own businesses to have a chance to trade.
“This is unfair and we should kick up a huge fuss about it in my opinion.
“Why hasn’t Millennium Square got local businesses who have been forced to close in there trading?
“Our hospitality trade is on its knees and our pubs are closed.
“People are losing their businesses and homes and getting into debt.
“What an insensitive insult to all those still having to pay rent and utility bills on perfectly Covid-safe venues that they are not allowed to open.”
Andy Dodd, chairman of BARBIE (The Bristol Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independent Establishments), said: “We’re shocked to see that Bristol City Council have allowed this winter wonderland to happen, especially as most, if not all, of the traders aren’t from Bristol.
“Council Covid marshals are threatening venues with fines for customers getting takeaways and not dispersing after they have made their purchases and this event with its dodgems and rides is encouraging people to hang about and not disperse.”
A council spokesperson said Cabot Circus holds trading rights in Millennium Square, which means it is ‘their decision’ to operate it.
The Post contacted Cabot Circus for comment but had not received a response at time of publication
Organisers behind Bristol’s attraction said their event has sufficient measures in place to ensure it is safe for visitors.
One of the organisers, Ashley Rodgers, said: “We’ve got all the necessary measures in place including floor markings, hand sanitiser stations, social distancing signs and more to ensure everyone can have a fun time in a controlled
place. All we ask is for people to keep a safe distance from others, keep their hands sanitised and have fun.”
Phillip Searle operates a mobile catering company, Searles Catering, which he takes to events and festivals across the UK.
He is running one of the food stalls at the attraction, which he said was safe for visitors.
He said: “We’ve fenced the fair in to make an entrance each side to control the number of people in here.
“If we get too many people in then we can close it off to make sure it doesn’t get too busy.
“We’re not getting the kind of numbers which would mean we’d have to do that.
“It’s going well so far and it’s nice to be out trading.”