Warwick Mop

[Toad]

Is anyone else sick of the disruption caused by the annual Warwick fun-fair?

[optrex]

DOesn't affect me, but I may be interested in it as a visitor. What are the problems associated with it as a local? Is it just traffic issues? Where is it sited in the town and how does the disruption differ to any other festival or event (concert at the Castle for instance)

[Shizara]

How long does the Warwick Mop last? ie is it a day only event or does it go on for a week or two?

[chillitt]

the mop takes over swan street, brook st the market place market st new street and the car parks in new st and brook st from thursday 4 pm till some point on sunday. this is over 2 weekends. during this time no shops on those streets can take deliveries in, or send anything out unless they can carry it some distance.
while the mop was on last week diesel fumes made the market place and my shop just off it a health hazzard. i had to shut the shop because the staff we getting woozy.
it differs from any other event in that there seems to be zero consideration to health and safety or disruption to locals.
it gets away with it because they have a 'charter' which i believe states they pay a few quid a year for the trouble the cause, but it literally a few quid.
they claim to be traditional, in that originally the first mop was a hiring fair where all the local lads would find gainful employ, and the second mop is the 'runaway fair' where if these lads didn't like their new job, they got a second go. quite what that has to do with deisel generators, candy floss and 'bent' try your luck games i have no idea. my shop hasn't changed for 111 years, thats traditional, but it doesn't stop them running a tatfest on the pavement outside.
usually the town starts to return to normal on the monday after the second mop, litter blows round the town for another few days while the council chaps chase it, the oil and other stains are gradually washed way, and blood pressures return to normal. i am not a fan.

[Shizara]

I can understand why you are not a fan, I wouldn't be either. Am assuming that it has to be run in a town rather than a suitable place nearby and I have to wonder if when it first begain they had diesel generators etc.

[chillitt]

between the 2 mops, they camp down on the racecourse. easy access plenty of parking etc. why not have it there? i believe W.C.C. look in here from time to time, perhaps they could tell us....

[Shizara]

That's a very good point. Also, is it necessary to advise local businesses when they plan to hold the mop and give anyone the chance to object?

[chillitt]

we are 'informed'. there is no option to object or even comment... its usually about 3 weeks notice of the exact dates, but we all know its coming..

[Toad]

In fact we do get notice but we do all know the middle two weeks of October will be a wash-out for business.
Businesses and residents have been trying to get rid of the mop for years. It is too big for the centre of a small town. It ought to be either very much smaller or on the race-course (Nottingham got rid of theirs from the city centre years ago and it has worked wonderfully well.)
There was a mop 'review' last year. The majority of residents, businesses and local council officers all said that it had to change and be made smaller - guess what, the councillors disagreed - we all wonder why. We are stuck with it until the next review in 4 years time.
All we want is for it to include the town and not exclude it. The Victorian Evening is a great example of how everyone in the town works together to provide a great event. This is what the mop should be.

[Shizara]

I couldn't agree more. It pretty much sums up the impression I was already getting. The mop, as it stands now, would seem to exclude the town by it's very activities and most certainly fo the businesses there. I seem to remember when a nearby pub had applied for a late licence - mostly to make noise I think. I did object but the response received told me that it was a waste of time as I had gotten the impression it was going to happen anyway. The end result now is there is more noise than ever from the place, they drink on the street in front of it, shout, scream and in general make an amazing racket. They spill on to the streets and stagger/wander wherever, they turn doorways, alleyways etc into makeshift toilets for urinating and vomiting and of course, there is the broken glass. I have no objection per se to people enjoying themselves - we all like to do so - however, my objection is much along the same lines as yours. The "it's going to happen, live with it" thinking whether we like it or not. Seemingly a sad indictment of today's society.