Organisers of Penrith’s Winter Droving have responded to criticism from some town traders who say it has a negative impact on their businesses.
The Winter Droving is set to take place later this month, extending its previous format to a three-day event running from Thursday October 28 to Saturday, October 30.
The festival, which is said by organisers to bring a spend of around £2 million to the area, includes music and street performances alongside street food, an arts and craft market and vintage funfair.
One of those who has spoken out about the festival’s effect on his business is Phil Caton, managing director of chemist Joseph Cowper Ltd, in King Street.
He said: “The Winter Droving as it started was a fine idea, with the lantern procession in the evening, but this year they are doing it over three days.
“I’m absolutely convinced this is an attempt to expand the festival without any questioning it, there hasn’t been any proper consultation exercise.
“Three days is ridiculous, we are not Edinburgh. If they want to create Edinburgh Festival they are barking up the wrong tree.”
Mr Caton said he has been told that his business will not be able to receive deliveries from King Street from 11am onwards each day of the Winter Droving.
However, deliveries can still be made to the rear of the building from Rowcliffe Lane.
He said the lack of access may impact on elderly or disabled customers with mobility issues and prevent them from collecting prescriptions from Cowpers or accessing the chemist’s NHS doctor referral service.
Mr Caton said that as a business they “tolerate” the town’s one-day events, such as May Day and the Tour of Britain, but to run a three-day festival without even speaking to business owners was “reprehensible”.
“We don’t want to be killjoys but three days is just too much,” he added.
Also voicing concerns about the impact the annual event has on businesses in the town was Yorkshire Trading manager Steven Connelly. He said the layout of the stalls along the streets blocks entrances to some of the shops, severely hitting trade.
He said: “I don’t have any issues with the Winter Droving, I think it’s great for the town and it being over three days will make it even better, giving more people a chance to see what’s going on. But I think when they put their staging up and have their stalls they need to think more of local businesses and allowing access during the event.”
Eden Arts has responded to the criticism, saying: “The three-day format is a response to the need to thin numbers of attendees over several days rather than have high numbers on a single day.
“The decision about how to make arrangements was made in May (when lockdown and social distancing was in force) in consultation with Eden District Council, Penrith BID (representing businesses) and others. It has nothing to do with any future plans.
“The reasoning behind extending the festival is due to safety concerns in relation to COVID. In 2019 over 25,000 people filled the streets of Penrith for the Winter Droving through the day, peaking at 8,000 during the parade. This year, we hope to spread the crowds out over three days, to help keep everyone safe.
“Each day will be equally as memorable and fun. This is not a permanent change and the assumption is that we hope we resume the one-day festival in 2022.
“The permanency of the Droving is in doubt in any case as funding is extremely tight — this year’s event is only going ahead due to a special government grant received via the Cultural Recovery Fund — without this there would be no event at all.
“Edinburgh Festival is massive, so it is hard to make a comparison. The only similarity is that Edinburgh is proud of its festivals and knows that they promote their town and boost the economy, these are the same aims as we have for the Droving.
“We have millions of visitors to the Lake District and it is important to show them that Penrith and Eden is an interesting and positive place that welcomes visitors — Kendal cashes in on this by calling itself ‘festival town’, why should Kendal have all the fun and financial boost?”
Penrith trader Dan Harding, who owns Foundry 34 in Penrith along with the Angel Lane Chippie, said while he understood the concerns he believes the benefit of the Winter Droving far outweighs any negative impact.
“I totally understand and sympathise with the businesses affected by it. Unless you’re in the hospitality business your sales may be impacted over the three days but overall the benefit the Winter Droving has on the town far outweighs the small negative impact on businesses.
“The benefit over the year is it puts Penrith on the map and attracts a lot of publicity nationally and internationally.”
This view was supported by Penrith Chamber of Trade president Stephen Macauley who said: “It’s a tricky one. I appreciate there are businesses with concerns about it but I think that the general consensus is it does bring visitors to the town.”
Eden Arts said businesses had been contacted via Penrith BID by emails three months before the festival and a physical letter-drop mid-August.
They said this allowed time for any local businesses that may have concerns to contact the group and have their issues heard. The organisers said they have been able to put measures in place in conjunction with traffic management officers to help minimise disruption to deliveries and access.
