Should folk festival move to bigger site?

A suggestion has been made that the three-day festival, which attracts thousands of participants and supporters, should be moved to somewhere like Canford Arena, which would also ensure that town traders do not lose business while it is on.

As the Echo has previously reported, several traders now shut up shop for the day or earlier than normal because the town is so busy with visitors that regular shoppers stay away from the crowds and the parking problems while the festival is in full swing.

The issues that arose from this year's festival will be discussed at a debriefing meeting on August 1 at East Dorset District Council.

John Beckett, president of the Wimborne Minster Chamber of Trade, said it was his personal view that it was time the popular festival was relocated.

"When it started it was great.

"It was a nice day out for the families. Maybe it's time the festival was moved, put into somewhere like Canford Arena or a field outside Wimborne.

"The only people that do make money in Wimborne during the festival are the pubs," Mr Beckett added.

He said the Chamber of Trade would also like to have input into the festival's planning in the future.

Annmarie McCarthy, licensee of The Albion Inn public house, said she hoped the festival would stay but wanted the traders to have more input.

"It's a shame for Wimborne to lose it. One of the biggest issues was the antisocial behaviour in the evening.

"It's magnified with the folk festival weekend.

"I don't know if it would work at Canford Arena or not.

"I think the traders just want some sort of consultation of what was happening over the weekend," she said.

Maria Bisp, one of four volunteers on the folk festival management committee, declined to comment in advance of the meeting.

Inspector Ernie Henley of Dorset Police said: "We will be attending the debrief and we will be discussing various issues arising from this year's event."

Mayor Anthony Oliver could not be contacted for comment.