INDEPENDENT stores in Truro have complained that the Christmas spirit does not extend to the city centre’s side streets.

Boscawen Street and Lemon Quay are currently lively with festive markets, especially on Wednesdays with late-night shopping and Saturdays.

However, local traders say shoppers are being deterred from exploring beyond the main action by barriers designed to protect the crowds from vehicular activity, while food and drink retailers claim visiting stalls are costing them business.

MEGA Shakes has a prime position opposite the shoppers’ car park in Old Bridge Street. But owner Aaron Ponting said on Saturday that he would be closing early because “we've actually had no customers the past three hours”. He added: “It’s the sad reality of running a food business that’s not in the centre of a market or event.”

This followed comments from the owner of Bao Bites on Wednesday evening [November 26] during the city’s first late-night shopping. William Clews has been trading in Quay Street for six years, and cites barriers across the road and “street food stalls placed in the main areas selling similar things to what we do” as key factors leading to the edges of the city centre becoming “a dead zone”.

He added: “It has become a clear pattern rather than a one-off … It would be great if the impact on the outer streets could be considered more in future planning so that the whole city benefits.”

In contrast, Tugboat Teas on New Bridge Street is “bonkers busy”, but owners Sara and Zach Newlin reported that most customers already knew of their existence and actively sought them out, as opposed to passing trade.

“We spoke to the BID about putting up signs reflecting that businesses were open - when the road is blocked off, people don’t come this way,” said Zach. “The parking situation is dire at the moment, which doesn’t help,” added Sara.

Hosted by Truro Farmers Market and Cornwall Event Cabins, the Christmas Market on Lemon Quay runs daily until Christmas Eve. The Boscawen Street Christmas Markets run on Wednesdays and Saturdays until December 20, hosted by Truro Farmers Market, Cornwall Shop Small and Truro Business Improvement District (BID).

Truro BID is a not-for-profit organisation delivering projects, events and services – including the annual Christmas lights, as well as year-round floral hanging baskets and the anti-social behaviour officers known as Truro Rangers - for the benefit of the city centre and its businesses, 362 of which pay levy contributions.

BID manager Alun Jones said: “We are aware of mixed feedback around town centre events. There are people who recognise that the events bring in additional custom which is very much needed in any town centre.

“There are some businesses who feel they do not benefit from those events. This can be for many reasons: it could be location, or it could be lack of visibility on social media, which is absolutely necessary these days.

“It could be that their offer isn’t what these additional seasonal customers are in town for - for example, on Wednesday late-night shopping, we see the pattern of customers wanting to visit an external market and walk around with convenient street food.”

Mr Jones said festive road closures were “necessary in order to create safe pedestrianised areas”, and were mitigated by “business as usual” signs around Victoria Square and side streets including Duke Street and Kenwyn Street. He added that the market in Boscawen Street had been devised “to widen the activity away from the official event space in Lemon Quay” as well as generating funds to offset the costs of the road closures.

In the past, food and drink purveyors were offered the opportunity of a free market stall, but struggled with staffing it as well as their main premises.

“Truro BID is very proud of delivering Christmas lights and associated events, and we urge businesses to engage and ensure their own promotion, such as via social media, is up-to-date and active,” Mr Jones added.

This Saturday [December 6], all Cornwall Council-owned car parks and both Truro Park & Ride sites will be free of charge as part of Small Business Saturday.