Claims that Arbroath Sea Fest should not continue next year have been dismissed as “sour grapes”.
Some local business owners rounded on organisers amid claims the annual event, which attracted more than 20,000 visitors this year, hurts trade.
Bill Adam, who runs the Harbour Nights guest house, said: “It’s gotten so bad that I don’t even want to open my doors during Sea Fest, because I know I’ll be operating at a loss.”
Jade Carver, who sells handmade jewellery in Arbroath, believes holding a stall at the event is too expensive.
“I understand they’ve got to make their money back for putting it on, but the cost is just too dear for a lot of businesses,” she said.
But Arbroath councillor Alex King, who sits on the Sea Fest organising committee, replied: “I think there are a lot of sour grapes there … we believe the fees are more than fair considering what it costs to set up the festival.”
