FARNHAM Town Council's experiment in reclaiming Downing Street for the pedestrian on Saturday has left some traders in the town fuming and demanding "never again". The closure of the street for a craft market in conjunction with the all-day arts festival at the Maltings spelt disaster for Saturday trade, according to numerous shopkeepers. They claim people either stayed away in droves, cancelling hair appointments and lunch bookings to avoid the anticipated traffic snarl-ups, or they arrived disgruntled by a half-hour traffic queue. There were problems, too, with public transport, with buses on nearly all routes sailing past on the A31 and by-passing would-be passengers. The council, which carried out its own survey of pedestrians in Downing Street, declared the day "a huge success" in an upbeat statement following the event. According to its figures, 75 per cent of people stated they would visit the craft festival again next year, making such comments as "do it every Saturday from May until October". In contrast, Borelli's bar owner David Quick appealed: "Let this be the first and last." Mr Quick said he would normally expect a bumper day with such fine weather, but instead a lot of people cancelled reservations. "What a ridiculous thing to do when this town's already gridlocked. No one could get out of Central car park. It was the longest line of traffic imaginable." Gordon Woodward, of Woodward menswear shop in the Lion and Lamb Yard, said business was so quiet on Saturday that he sent a member of staff home early. Another menswear shop in the town closed early, at 3pm. "We had numerous complaints from those people who did come into the shop about the traffic situation and people who had been coming to collect things said they couldn't get in. "We are paying some of the most expensive rents and business rates in Farnham and to have one of the main routes into town closed for 15 stalls..." Catherine Cooper, major projects co-ordinator for Farnham Town Council, said: "We will be reviewing the event in the next couple of weeks. "Before the event, we had informed the emergency services, highways authorities and the operations manager of Stagecoach of the road closure. In addition, notice of the closure was placed on routes into the town centre. "However, we have identified a number of issues from the day, including traffic congestion, which we will be reviewing with the police. With the feedback received from the day, Farnham Town Council will be able to improve on points raised for future events." The town council had selected Downing Street as the best location for the market so as to channel people from the Maltings into the town centre. As well as the 15 stalls, there was a range of entertainment including a jazz band, folk music and sea shanties. The survey of shoppers was carried out by a rota of town councillors. Town mayor Gillian Beel said: "As it was the first event of this nature, it was important to get feedback about the market and I am pleased to say it was positive. "The market displayed great community spirit and a lovely ambience flowed throughout the air." There was no doubting that the traffic-free environment was a pleasant novelty, though some remarked that they'd hoped to see more stalls. Sir Ray Tindle commented: "I have lived in Farnham for over 40 years, and never have I been able to walk down the middle of Downing Street." Of those surveyed at the craft market, 73 per cent agreed that Downing Street was the best location for the market and 77 per cent felt that the timing of the event on a Saturday was appropriate. Other comments gathered included "shoppers who visited the spring festival have gone into shops in Downing Street, which they may not have done without the market", "roads in Farnham should be closed more often" and "I love walking up and down Downing Street". A survey of around 25 traders across the town, conducted on behalf of Farnham Chamber of Commerce, has nevertheless revealed that 75 per cent felt the event was not a success. Half said there was a negative impact on their trade, compared with 30 per cent who said the effect was positive. In Downing Street itself, there were winners and losers as far as trade was concerned. Chamber committee member Alexandra Obolensky, of Obolensky's gift shop in East Street, said many traders were resentful that they hadn't been consulted in advance. "As far as the chamber is concerned, these sort of events are welcome in the town, but they have to be in the right place, at the right time. Have them, for example, on a Sunday, if you do want to close roads. "Could this not be done in a better way that doesn't involve road closure?' she asked, suggesting Gostrey Meadow as an alternative. Mrs Obolensky referred to "the fragile environment" Farnham's shopkeepers operate within. "Experimenting could be perceived as playing rather fast and loose with the livelihood of the town's traders. It was like a ghost town." South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt commented: "Farnham has a wonderful cultural tradition and I'm really pleased that we're being bold enough to experiment with new ideas. "Any scheme that attracts more visitors to the town should benefit everyone, including local traders, so it is vital we address any adverse effects caused by road closures when considering future pedestrianisation plans. "That is why we need an integrated traffic plan for the whole of Farnham and traffic modelling tests to see whether pedestrianisation is the best option for the town."
