OVER 20 Minehead traders have signed a petition urging the organisers of last weekend’s cycling grand prix not to run the event next year.

They claim they all lost money because town centre car parks were shut and health and safety precautions turned the town centre into a “war zone”, preventing people visiting shops and businesses.

“Many of the town’s small businesses said the weekend was a disaster for them,” said Minehead businesswoman Jackie Sherwood, who organised the petition.

“We had good weather and 6,000 people in Butlin’s, but the streets were nearly empty most of the time. A major complaint was that during the races people had to wait up to 45 minutes to cross the roads.”

But not everyone agreed that the event was unsuccessful. Many of the 93 comments on social media on Wednesday praised the organisers for “providing a “lovely weekend with a great buzz”.

And a BID spokesman said: “Minehead BID is tasked with developing an events programme which will bring new visitors to the town.

“While there have been a few negative comments over this event, and one or two comments to take on board, there is a general growing feeling that at last Minehead is trying to put itself on the map.

“Those of us supporting BID and indeed Gateway Events, another group wanting to improve the town’s image, are doing their best to achieve this.

“I am sure that those hundreds of cycling families from all over the country, a number of whom travelled long distances to get here, absolutely loved their weekend, and we have received many positive comments about the friendly welcome they received from the town.”

Commenting on the traders’ reaction, Paul Butcher of race organisers Minehead Cycling Club, said: “We are having a debriefing in the coming week with our partners looking at possible negative feedback and reviewing the future of the event.

“Once we know what people’s problems are we will look for solutions.”

Mrs Sherwood told the Free Press: “My purpose in organising the petition was to raise awareness of the negative effect this event has had.

“I am not against anyone trying to raise the profile of Minehead but it needs to be done in the correct way so that all businesses can make money.”

She said she intended to pass on the completed petition to BID in the hope that it would provide useful information for the future.

For the full story, and more photos, buy today’s Free Press (June 28).