TRADERS say they are unhappy with Weston Beach Race organisers because competitors did not spend any money in the town centre. Seafront business

TRADERS say they are unhappy with Weston Beach Race organisers because competitors did not spend any money in the town centre.Seafront business owners say food vans were parked at all the places people were gathering for the race, which meant nobody was using the town's pubs, bars and restaurants.Traders say the event, which was held at the weekend, failed to bring any economic benefit to the people of Weston and North Somerset Council should have thought about them before letting race organisers bring in outside catering companies.Ann Richardson, owner of Aphrodite cafe in Beach Road, said: "After a terrible summer with the weather this was the last thing we needed."The shop made barely enough money to cover its opening costs all weekend."I think the organisers should ask the local business community next time round if they would like to become involved."Beach Race competitors and their support team members camped on the Beach Lawns and at Weston Airfield during the three-day event where catering companies had been pre-arranged by organisers. In previous years visitors have been allowed to park on pavements and along the promenade, but this year parking barriers prevented this and traders say this made the lack of business worse.A North Somerset Council spokesman said the changes were partly in response to complaints it had received from residents in previous years and to enable emergency vehicles to have quick and easy access to the beach.The Weston & Somerset Mercury tried to contact a Beach Race representative but nobody was available for comment at the time of going to press.