THE annual funfair in Barnard Castle will be closely monitored when it comes to town on Whit weekend after complaints last year.
Those who attended said they were not impressed by the types of rides on offer and those that were there were too expensive.
The visit of the fair coincides with Barnard Castle Meet.
Barnard Castle Meet committee trustee John Emerson told the town council’s partnerships committee that some residents were leaving the town before Whit weekend because of the inconvenience the funfair causes by taking up the entire public car park adjacent to Morrisons.
He said the Meet was run separately to the funfair and it took place through an agreement between the fair’s operator and Durham County Council.
He added: “We did get a bit of flak about the car park last year – the price of the amusements and there were very few amusements there.”
Mr Emerson told members he had been in touch with the fun fair owner who had said improvements would be made this year. He added: “I have said some of the pricing on that fair was ridiculous for what was there and they have taken that on board.
“We are looking at it – if there are any problems this year, as the Meet, we will make representations to the county council about it.”
After last year’s visit, traders in the town described the funfair as “a waste of time” with between 60 and 80 car parking spaces unnecessarily cordoned off during Barnard Castle’s busiest weekend.
At the time, Alex Crow, of operators Crow Leisure Group, conceded it had been a quieter year, with a number of attractions elsewhere.
He said he would like to fill the full car park with rides and attractions when the fair returns this year.
Meanwhile, Mr Emerson revealed that this year’s event would be on the theme of “History Through The Ages” , and the Northern Dales Richard III Society would be involved to coincide with the 550th anniversary of the monarch’s association with the town.
The Meet committee has only seven members, but it attracts the support of more than 60 volunteers and aims to become a registered charity.
