TRADING conditions are being blamed for the difficulties in funding the Town Carnival. Chamber of Commerce retail committee chairman Tony Creasey acknowledged the efforts that were being made to find more funding for the event but the struggle did not surprise him.
‘Trading is very tough at the moment and we are under pressure from all sorts of areas,’ he said.
‘Staff costs continue to rise and we have paid parking coming along in the autumn.
‘I guess people are being cautious with how they spend their money and there’s not a lot of joy in Town at the moment.’
Town Centre Partnership executive officer Jack Honeybill said he could appreciate Mr Creasey’s viewpoint to some extent, but it was things such as the Town Carnival that brought joy to St Peter Port.
‘There’s nothing better than street entertainment to complement the few alfresco areas we’ve got,’ he said.
This year’s carnival runs from 21-28 July and has a new name - The New Town Carnival: La Fete de Musique a la Ville.
The combined cost of nearly £7,000 means the town crier and the clowns will not be involved this year but Deputy Honeybill hoped money would still be forthcoming to support the programmed events.
‘This is not a whinge but a reality check and if we have the funds, we can have more entertainment,’ he said.
Deputy Honeybill visited every shop in Town to explain the situation and a letter requesting support was left with each. About a third responded.
Entertainment booked so far includes a steel band, a roving jazz band and Punch and Judy.
The Covent Garden String Quartet will also perform, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland International.
A French accordionist is another possibility, but that depends on more money being found.
Deputy Honeybill remained confident about the event’s future and said acts such as the string quartet and bunting that will be put up throughout Town, courtesy of the constables, would help to re-establish it.
He would like to hear from anyone who might be prepared to play music during lunchtimes.
* Deputy Honeybill can be contacted at jackhoneybill@hotmail.com or on 07781 113464.
Article posted on 1st May, 2007 - 12.00am
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