The committee for the weekly St. George's summertime street festival resigned last night after disgruntled vendors claimed its strategy had failed.

The St. George's Street Festival, formerly Market Nights, a Tuesday night event during the summer, was moved from its venue of the past seven years, King's Square, to Water Street for the first time despite complaints from vendors of a negative effect on sales and low turnouts.

In the meeting last night, after hearing complaints for an hour, committee spokesperson, Steve Hollis, announced they would resign to much applause from the attendees.

As predicted, sparks flew between the former committee members and the vendors during the 70-minute meeting.

Vendors claimed the move to Water Street had cost them money, that the event was boring and that local and visitor turnout decreased tremendously.

Lucinda Worrell-Stowe, a vendor, said she liked the name change but couldn't understand why the event was moved.

"I didn't realise the venue we had before didn't work. Why change it," she asked.

She explained as a vendor, she only gets three hours to sell her products and the stores have seven days a week.

Moving it to Water Street meant shops stayed open longer to cater to the tourists which meant competing with the vendors.

Tina Bernard frequently helps vendors and said: "I understand trying something new and different but I found this year very boring."

She suggested voting to determine whether the festival will stay on Water Street or move back to King Square.

Mr. Hollis explained the square was utilised and was supposed to be the spot for food vendors but a lot of them backed out of the commitment.

Another vendor, Mr. Tyrrell, asked if vendors were asked to vote on the move before it was made.

Committee member Suzanne Hollis explained there was a PowerPoint presentation before the season began with the new idea.

She said she thought everyone was on board with the change but obviously, they weren't.

Vendor Jerry Friday said: "We vendors are united and this season has been abysmal. The committee was totally inflexible and despite claims that it was magical, it has been a pathetic attempt from previous years."

Mr. Friday said on the square it was more festive, there was a DJ, Gombeys, raffle tickets and much more.

"There is no atmosphere on Water Street and no mingling of tourists with locals. The vendors are not making money and the locals are not turning up".

He explained out of 29 vendors asked, only one said they liked the move to Water Street.

Gene Minors, one of the founders of the event in 2000 explained to the audience that vendors were asked to give a donation. He said even if they didn't sell anything, they would give at least $5 and everyone enjoyed the atmosphere.

"The new boys in town decided they wanted to charge a fee", he said in reference to the former committee charging an upfront booth fee.

Kelly Dill of Sea Glass said she welcomed the change to Water Street because it meant tourists would visit her shop along with the Island Shop and Amos Art Studios.

She explained this year was very profitable for them because the Gombeys started at Penno's Wharf luring the tourists to the shops.

Mike (DJ Heavy D) Rebello, explained he came on board at the beginning and provided music free of charge weekly for years.

He said he volunteered his services again this year but got an answering machine message saying he wasn't needed. Mr. Rebello said he would like to DJ next year because he didn't enjoy what he saw this year.

"I came three times this year and it was horrible. There was no organisation, no members walking around. It was dead. Look what they've killed".

Diane Gordon of the Chamber of Commerce said: "I was devastated to see that dialogue on the front page of the paper. With all respect to this reporter, I didn't need to see that on the front page."

Mrs. Gordon explained when she went into Hamilton this morning she was told: 'What do you expect. It's St. George's'. She told the vendors they needed to come together to bring back what the event used to be.

"I wish I had the square instead of Front Street. This has character and warmth".

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Hollis told the vendors the committee would resign so that a new one could be formed.

He said afterwards: "It was expected. The committee had a different vision for this town. It's obvious the vendors had their minds set on the square. We thought it was prudent that we step down. We feel it's a step backwards".

The committee was made up of Nikki and Declan O'Connell, Lynda Johnson, Suzanna and Steve Hollis, Claudia Lagle and April Smith.

A new committee will be formed once the Corporation of St. George's has been notified of the change.