OPEN the floodgates to street traders and Sidmouth will become a town of candyfloss and kiss-me-quick hats" a town councillor has warned. Councillor John Hollick made the comment at Monday's Sidmouth Town Council meeting while discussing allowing seafron

OPEN the floodgates to street traders and Sidmouth will become a town of "candyfloss and kiss-me-quick hats" a town councillor has warned.Councillor John Hollick made the comment at Monday's Sidmouth Town Council meeting while discussing allowing seafront trading during FolkWeek and other community events."I am in favour of the folk festival using it but once you open the doors the next thing you know it will be all candyfloss and kiss-me-quick hats," he said.The council agreed to support trading on the seafront during FolkWeek, subject to a number of conditions. Their views will be put to EDDC, which will make a final decision.In March, during private discussion, councillors supported in principle the formation of a 'consent street' such as the Esplanade where specific sites could be designated for use by approved traders.Councillor Graham Liverton said on Monday such a street was needed for FolkWeek, but added: "It is important dancers take precedence over the rest." He wanted to see controls in place this year.Councillor Mary Jolly said: "It is essential we have this, it will give more ambience to the festival." She thought it should be kept to FolkWeek to make it more "unique".Festival week was "an opportunity to swell their takings because of the sheer numbers of people in the town", said Councillor Ian Mackenzie-Edwards, who said proper control was needed on introducing a commercial element to the Esplanade, which he believed would reflected poorly on the town.Chairman Councillor Tom Cox explained pedlars were not licensed and what was wanted was regulation of street traders by licensing them "which allows us to control what goes on".He said most people supported tighter controls after last year's festival which overwhelmed the Esplanade, preventing many performers from staging displays.Councillor Tony Reed, who is president of FolkWeek, said: "We are not trying to deny anyone, we are trying to bring management to the chaos.