Traders say town charity events have no effect
Following the report in last week's Wells Journal that the number of charity events in the city was effecting trade, some businesses have put a contrary view.
The Rotary Reindeer Parade and Santas on the Run meant that the city centre roads were closed for several hours two weeks running. However, Loaye Agabani, the owner of Junior, a toy shop on Wells High Street, said that business was good, particularly during the reindeer parade.
Mr Agabani said: "The reindeer parade is the best Sunday that we have through the year and this year it was even better. Although with the Santas we might have done better without it, after it had finished we got really busy. I'd be happy to have them back next year."
Despite this Mr Agabani said that he didn't understand why the roads had been closed for so long.
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Last week Christina Borastero, a former Wells mayor and owner of thre shops on Queen Street, said that she had seen a 30 per cent fall in trade both weeks.
Mrs Borastero said: "For the Santa run the roads around Wells were closed from 11.30am to approximately 2.30pm. The run started at 1pm and finished at about 1.20pm. The charity in question may well have raised money but at what cost to the retailer?"
However, Steve Wilson, landlord of the King's Head pub on the High Street, said: "We didn't see much difference. We were probably up on food after the reindeer parade but Santas was quiet. It was probably flat over all."
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