SIR Do you think street traders should be allowed on Sidmouth's seafront?

SIR - Do you think street traders should be allowed on Sidmouth's seafront? Yes/No: If yes, at what times should they be permitted to trade?(Seafront trading questionnaire, Herald, March 28.)We have just returned this questionnaire to EDDC with a definite no vote, but are a bit perplexed as to why EDDC has not worded the form differently for the 'no' voters as, if there is a majority 'yes' result, we get no choice or opportunity to express where, when and for how long these people trade.Our reasons for not wanting traders on the seafront are threefold: 1. They usually sell terrible, cheap tat. 2. Most appear to be unlicensed (last year we observed the police requesting these flouting traders to remove their parked vehicles away from the front where they were illegally parked and obstructing free flowing traffic) and they stopped the people who make up the Folk Week, whether they be dancers, singers or musicians, from performing on the promenade (more or less their stage) which so many visitors and residents alike enjoy. 3. They just fragmented the whole event, spoilt the appearance of the promenade and the wares they were displaying were in no way connected with the festival. We saw one stall-holder selling second-hand paperbacks. These type of traders are only here to line their own pockets (it is our own unique shops which should be benefiting) and bring no contribution to the festival whatsoever. With so many nationalities taking part in the festival, would it not be nice to see stalls selling distinct, good quality wares from their different countries?If we have to suffer more of these traders and only, hopefully, for Folk Week, would it not be better if they were grouped together, perhaps somewhere on the Ham, thus freeing up the promenade where the public can soak up the party atmosphere of FolkWeek.Mr KP and Mrs LJ KavanaghPrimley MeadSidmouth