BUSINESSES in Bowness and Windermere are to be given permission to grab a slice of the action at one of the Lake District’s most lucrative events.

On a one-year trial basis only, traders will be allowed to set up stalls and outdoor seating on the Glebe during the two-day Windermere Airshow. Windermere town councillors voted to relax current bylaws that forbid trading on the grassy area by the lake during the aerial extravaganza on July 24 and 25 this year. And food traders from the rest of Cumbria will be able to display their wares on the adjoining pitch and putt area.

David Thomas, airshow co-ordinator for Windermere Rotary Club, said a survey taken after last year’s show had highlighted problems with food provision for visitors. “From last year’s survey we had a lot of complaints about food supplies – not the quality but the availabilty,” he said.  “There were long queues at the food and drink outlets and so we want to make it easier for people and help businesses make the most out of a weekend which brought in £4m to the area last year.” Mr Thomas said seven businesses in Windermere had already expressed their support for the idea and wanted to trade on the Glebe over that weekend.

But a letter read out at the meeting from the Windermere Chamber of Trade stated that they were not in favour of the move – they would only support trading on the pitch and putt course.  Mayor Bill Smith said: “It seems right to trial this on an event that attracts a big number of visitors. This move does not set a precedent for trading on the Glebe but it should enable us to make a future judgement.”

Six councillors voted to grant permission on a one year temporary basis and two abstained. A survey will be carried out after the airshow to assess how well the new trading proposals worked.