THERE should be no fears of clashes between street traders and performers during Sidmouth's FolkWeek this year, writes Di Bowerman. Councillor Christine Drew, chairman of EDDC's licensing committee, which last week agreed to make the Esplanade and promena

THERE should be no fears of clashes between street traders and performers during Sidmouth's FolkWeek this year, writes Di Bowerman.Councillor Christine Drew, chairman of EDDC's licensing committee, which last week agreed to make the Esplanade and promenade consent streets, said: "The stalls will be on the road side of the Promenade, not next to the railings, and there will be room there and room in-between for performers as there will be big gaps."She wanted to clarify for residents last week's decision to allow up to 50 stalls along the seafront during FolkWeek, stretching between the shelters next to Bedford Lawn car park and Trinity Court at the eastern end.She added: "They were just anywhere last year. I don't think we will have as many and, anyway, we can say which ones can go there. If we don't do this it will be like last year, and we would have no control over it. It is lovely to have the dancers on the front."Chris Taylor, of Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, favours the consent status to control trading during FolkWeek. By spacing the dance groups along the promenade it will avoid any musical clashes during performances."By licensing the seafront it will help alleviate a lot of the problems. The request for licensing came from the FolkWeek producers as a means of control," he said."You are never going to stop it [street trading] but, if you have control of it, it can be coped with a lot easier. There will be stewardship to make sure people are not exceeding their pitches."He added: "The seafront is our window to this town, we don't want trading on it at any other time and my hope is it wouldn't become a regular thing to allow organisations trading on the seafront."Mrs Drew said: "It will be trial and error this year. If, after that, we find it is not working we may reconsider it." EDDC will make a daily charge of £15 per pitch to those wishing to trade. l See Vox Pop - page 13