BUSINESSES in Andover’s town centre have criticised organisers of the Winter Wonderland event for blocking their shop fronts with large white tents – leaving one forced to close.

On Sunday, December 4, families enjoyed Andover’s first Winter Wonderland – with stalls, rides and performances – but for some, the event left them disappointed and frustrated.

To allow visiting traders to sell their goods and for people to enjoy food and drink, gazebos were erected on the High Street in front of shop units.

Beverley Botha of The Travelling Cupcake was hopeful that the day would bring greater footfall, but to her horror she found a large tent blocking almost her entire shopfront.

“We were really excited about the event and had asked extra staff to come in. Then the day before we had asked on their post who was going to be in front of our shop – just to get a bit of an idea,” Beverley said.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: Residents call Winter Wonderland 'a great addition to Andover'

The business owner said she didn’t get a response from David Coole, director of Our Andover CIC, who co-organised the wonderland.

“My husband turned up on the day and took some photographs. The opening by our shop was tiny, a little gap on one side,” she continued. “It was all very haphazard.

“It just felt that no thought was given to local businesses – it just infuriated me.”

Beverley took to Facebook to share her frustration, alongside a picture of the tent, which received a huge reaction.

“The public needed to know how bad it was because we are here day in day out.”

Cllr Coole and co-organiser Dmitrijs Meiksans visited the store, and eventually, the sides of the gazebo were rolled up.

After seeing Beverley’s post on Facebook, a number of people visited the shop. She said: “The response to the post was amazing.”

SEE ALSO: 'We can't compete anymore': Popular ice cream parlour explains reasons behind closure

She added: “It is important that we work together. We really want these sorts of events happening in the High Street, but they (the organisers) need to work with us. Everything that is on the High Street with regards to markets and events need to complement what we already have."

On the other side of the High Street, Canto Gelato was forced to close during the event.

Posting on Facebook, the ice cream parlour said: “We will be closed today Andover! The stalls in front of the shop has made it very hard for us to open and trade sadly. TVBC and inAndover fully support local business and their events are so well-planned to cater for all and support everyone. Today wasn’t one of their events so made of difficult. We will see you Tuesday. [SIC]”

The Advertiser has been told that a stall selling ice cream, waffles and coffee was set up in front of the parlour.

Following the criticism, co-organiser Cllr Coole said: "By their very nature, High Street events mean bringing in stalls and activities that can obscure the shops and cafes, but this does not stop people going into them and spending money. Sufficient space was left in front of all shops and cafes that were open, so people could visit them whilst enjoying the amazing free-to-attend Andover Winter Wonderland Day event.

"The event brought thousands of people into the town centre who would not normally visit on a Sunday, and they would have boosted the turnover of the shops and cafes they visited. Coffee#1 was extremely busy throughout the day, despite having the funfair and stalls in front of their café. Hundreds of people took part in the Christmas Lantern Parade and we were inundated with compliments and thanks for putting the event on. What we have learnt over the years is that event organisers will never please everyone, some people will always complain, and that there is always room to learn so that future events can be even better.

“Before the event started, Our Andover CIC spoke with The Travelling Cupcake and was told they were unlikely to put out their tables and chairs because of the weather, and they said the outdoor seating area stall was ok where it was. When we learnt of their negative post, we spoke with them again and agreed to take down the back covers of the outdoor seating area stall, to improve the visibility of their café. This photo shows the Travelling Cupcake was clearly visible behind the outdoor seating area, with their own tables and chairs in their usual area. Regular checks of the café showed it was busy. The Canto Gelato never approached us about their concerns so we were shocked to see their negative post. Had they spoken with us, we could have accommodated their concerns, as we did with The Travelling Cupcake, and they too would have had a busy day instead of closing."