Council promises ‘fresh feel to seafront’ - and vows to crack down on unlicensed traders and loud, amplified music on promenade

Changes will be made to where trading stalls are sited along The Esplanade during FolkWeek this year.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) says this is to provide more room for performers to entertain the thousands of people who flock to the town.

It says the move ‘will bring a fresh feel to the seafront’.

The authority has also vowed to crack down on unlicensed traders and loud, amplified music played by some performers on the promenade – which drew complaints last year.

FolkWeek organisers, Sidmouth Town Council, the police and EDDC’s licensing, environmental health and StreetScene services have been working in partnership together behind the scenes to plan the event.

They have reviewed the use of the space along The Esplanade to provide more space for performers - yet maintain the same number of trading stalls. The trading pitches are being moved closer together and the pitch sites will remain the same size.

“This will help accommodate the FolkWeek’s popular performers and also mean there is less opportunity for unlicensed street traders, such as hair braiders, to set up,” said an EDDC spokesperson.

“It also means that, for this year’s event, there will be an additional performance space available at the Port Royal end on The Esplanade, as well as two other areas reserved and marked out for the use of performers.

“One will be towards the western end of The Esplanade, opposite the Bedford car park, and the second will be opposite the Mocha Cafe and where Fore Street meets The Esplanade.”

FolkWeek bosses will manage the performance spaces and display notice boards, showing the events planned for the space each day. They are keen to hear from any performers who would like the opportunity to use the spaces.

EDDC says The Esplanade will be ‘closely monitored’ by its officers, who will check street trading consents and prevent a repeat of the loud, amplified music played by some performers during last year’s FolkWeek.

Following this year’s event, the new arrangements will be reviewed, says the council.

FokWeek runs from July 29 to August 5.