A DISPUTE has broken out after a leading critic predicted failure for plans to boost shop trade during Thirsk's annual festival.

Thirsk Festival's gala day, the highlight of the two-week event, will this year be staged in the market place, instead of the usual base in The Flatts.

It is hoped the event, on Sunday, July 1, will bring visitors into the town centre.

Festival organisers also hope that Thirsk's shops will open for the day and that visitors will boost their trade.

However, Thirsk and District Business Association has disagreed with the claims, saying that the event will actually take up valuable car parking space.

Don Moore, chairman of the trade association, said: "The shops will not stay open for it.

"We have tried to get them to open for late-night Christmas shopping nights and they won't, so I can't see them doing it for the festival if the past is anything to go by. But I may be wrong.

"And it will use up all of the market place car parking.

"Unless they provide a park-and-ride, people will complain they can't park. People don't want to have to walk so they will have to provide some parking facilities somewhere."

The nine-year-old festival has always been organised by Thirsk Rotary Club and has raised more than £160,000 for charity.

But this year, Thirsk Events Group, a multi-agency body, has been tasked with setting it up.

The festival will run between June 30 and July 14 with the gala day the main event, featuring music, veteran cars and a range of other attractions.

Festival organiser Geraint Williams hit back at the criticism, saying: "I have spoken to a few shops and they have said they'll stay open.

"They are saying they will be open and the shops think it's great.We did think about park-and-ride, but when the normal market is in there, it takes up all of the parking.

"People will find other areas to park in. The other car parks will be open and there is street-side parking.

"The impression given to me is that people will walk into Thirsk and leave the car at home."